The resurrection of Jesus provides eternal answers.
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Just a few days ago I celebrated another birthday. I’m well into my sixties now and on the downside of the hill. Yep, I’m quickly headed for the biblical projection for life on this earth, “three score and ten.” That is, 70 years. Pondering this makes Easter more and more special with each passing year.
The resurrection of Jesus provides eternal answers
Here’s the entire “three score and ten” verse in a modern paraphrase: “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10 NLT)
Was the Psalmist having a bad day? The last half of the verse certainly sounds like it! But it was also realistic, because life really is tough.
This is why I’m so glad for Easter. Easter = HOPE!
What kind of HOPE?
H = His
O = Outrageous
P = Provision
E = for Everyone
1. H = His.
When I say “His,” I’m NOT referring to the Easter Bunny!
For many, Easter is Easter Egg Baskets, Easter Egg Hunts, and candy, candy, candy.
But they miss the best part of Easter, the actual reason we celebrate Easter: it is about Jesus and His resurrection from the dead.
That’s right, Jesus overcame death. If you doubt this, I suggest you read my article 4 Powerful Proofs that Jesus Lives.
Then read my article The 3 Best Explanations Why Jesus’ Resurrection Never Happened.
The point is that Jesus was totally unique. No one else in all of history overcame death as He did.
2. O = Outrageous.
What’s outrageous about the resurrection is that Jesus was willing to die in the first place.
Those who understand the message of the Bible understand that Jesus was not another ordinary Joe. He was the only person who ever lived who was both God and man. Fully God and fully man.
This passage describes the steps of humiliation that Jesus willingly took:
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11 ESV)
That Jesus would stoop to become a man, to die on the cross and then after three days in the grave rise again, is outrageous.
3. P = Provision.
What was the point of it all? The point of Jesus death, burial and resurrection were to provide the hope of eternal life.
He did what we cannot do for ourselves—He died in our place to make payment for our sins and provide eternal life for all who receive His gift of salvation.
If you think you don’t need His outrageous provision, please read my article Who Needs Jesus, I’m a Good Person.
To learn how to receive this gift, please click HERE.
4. E = For Everyone.
Who is this HOPE available to? It is available to all who receive it. “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:13 ESV)
Have you called on the name of the Lord? If you have and are truly saved, you are born again and have hope for all eternity.
The blessed hope!
If you lack assurance, please see my article How to Know if You are Truly Saved.
None of us knows exactly when we’ll depart this earth. But because Jesus conquered sin and death, we can know our eternal destiny is in heaven.
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of God’s Son so that you can know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 CEB)
Yes, Easter = HOPE
H = His
O = Outrageous
P = Provision
E = for Everyone
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