Easter: The Lamb Has Overcome
Through His resurrection, Jesus made all things possible, says Ruth White of the Metanoia Project.
Each of us has our fair share of problems, especially at the moment with the uncertainty and fear surrounding coronavirus. It can sometimes seem like there is no way out.
When Jesus died on Good Friday, it felt like the end to His disciples – the man they had followed, trusted, learned from and loved for three years was now gone. How despondent they must have felt.
Take some time to think about the elements of the death of Jesus:
Think about the sharpness of the nails and think about the way they pierced Jesus’ hands and feet.
Are there times when you feel pierced and wounded?
Think about the softness of the grave clothes and think about the way they bound up Jesus’ body.
Are there times when you feel suffocated and trapped?
Think about the hardness of the stone on which His body lay, the coldness of death.
Are there times when you feel cold, lonely, defeated?
Hope, Healing and Victory
However, we know that Jesus’ death was not the end.
By rising from the dead, Jesus destroyed our ultimate fear. Death no longer has any hold over us. We can shout with St Paul: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)
Through His resurrection, Jesus made all things possible - all hope, all healing, all victory. If God raised Jesus from the dead, He can free us from anything – all injustice, all oppression, all fear.
In Matthew’s account of the Gospel, when Jesus calms the storm which they are sure will drown them, the disciples cry: “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27)
Take Heart-Jesus Has Overcome
Do you think that your problems are too much for Jesus? Do you think that He cannot help you? Or do you doubt His goodness and think that He does not want to help you?
St Paul reminds us that God is always working for our good ( See Romans 8:28) so He definitely wants to help.
When I feel scared, lost or trapped, I remember the following two things:
1.Stop telling God how big your storm is, and start telling your storm how big your God is! (Unknown)
2. The waves and wind still know His name, from the hymn It is well.
As you walk out of the tomb with Jesus, entrust your problems and concerns to Him who says: ‘Take heart, I have overcome the world!’ (John 16:33)