Why The Resurrection Gives Me Hope
Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your Sting? 1 Corinthians 15:55
As Easter approaches, this scripture keeps running through my mind.
You don’t get to this side of 50 without experiencing the sting of death. Some have experienced more of the sting than others. At the very least, a lot of us are losing parents and other loved ones of the generation before us. In some cases, we are losing our spouses and peers.
I lost both of my parents in 2015 – Mom in February and Dad in September. I am only just now beginning to feel the full impact of that loss. Death stings. Sometimes the sting is intense. It really hurts and can paralyze you. Sometimes, it’s just in the background, but constant. Either way, it’s painful.
I was blessed to have my parents with me for 57 years. And except for the last couple of months of their lives, they were blessed with good health.
On every other Easter that I can remember, my focus has been more on Good Friday. On the day that Jesus died a cruel, horrible death, which served as the sacrificial penalty for my sins. I am so grateful that He did that for me.
This year, my focus is on Sunday morning. The Resurrection. When Jesus overcame death and came back to life to live forever.
The Resurrection gives me hope that death is not the end. For those who have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins, we can be sure that when our time on this earth is over, it is not the end. When our loved ones’ time on this earth is over, it is not the end. There is a resurrection. There is life beyond what we experience in this world. There will be a time when death will no longer sting because we will be alive and live with Jesus forever.
“Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?”
While the sting is real in the here and now, having the confidence that it is only for a little while gives me hope and comfort.
Celebrating the Resurrection with all of you and remembering my Mom & Dad.
Cathy
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Praise God for Easter and for His grace! Thanks for sharing the message of hope on the Thursday Blog Hop!
Happy Easter to you, Pam! Thanks for reading and commenting!
What a beautiful tribute to your parents Cathy ! This is really a time for reflection and hope! Happy Easter.
Thank you, Mary! Really missing them today!
This is a beautiful tribute to your parents tied into the story of Christ. I marvel at what Jesus did for us. What a sacrifice indeed. Have a Blessed Easter!
Love this post. Every holiday that has come and gone without Grandma & Grandpa has been really hard, but knowing that we will see them again gives me hope. It makes me actually want to celebrate it knowing that is what they are doing in Heaven. Can’t wait to celebrate Easter with you tomorrow. Love you!
Thanks, Amers! Love you too!
It’s always hard to lose people. I lost both of my parents in 2013 within 2 weeks of each other. Lovely tribute to them.
Yes, Rebecca – I remember us having that conversation at BAM. Losing parents close together is a lot more common than I realized. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I am so glad you have something which gives you hope. I hope you had a lovely Easter.
Yes we did. Thanks for reading and commenting, Tam!
The Easter message has always resonated with me as well. I often tell Jesus I’m so sorry he had to die for me- that I wish I could have helped him, but instead I’ll just follow his guidance. Blessings to you and yours,
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Cheryl!
I am so sorry you lost both of your parents within a few months.
Last year I lost my Dad and then my best friend within 6 weeks. That stings still and I’m sure it always will.
Thank you for sharing your hope. You were so blessed to have your parents with you for so long.
[…] Why the Resurrection Gives Me Hope […]
As my parents have aged, I stopped making joking about aging because I knew I was closer to losing them someday. Praise God that we know that no matter when we all die that we will be together again someday in the presence of our Savior. It’s comforting to know without a doubt where we’ll be thanks to Jesus’ horrible death and glorious resurrection.
Amen. And let me tell you – enjoy every minute you have with your parents. You will miss them so when they are gone. Today I was reading a recipe post that included French Silk Ice Cream – my dad’s favorite – and I got a big lump in my throat. But I know I will see them again. This missing them is not forever.
Hi! I think we’re living on the same side of 50, and I, too, cling to resurrection truth to keep my heart in the right place as we witness the diminishment (or death) of so many that we love. Thanks be to God that this life is only a shadow of the real life God promises with Him.
Michelle, I think we need to constantly remind each other that this is not all there is. There is something better waiting for us in Heaven. Can’t wait to be reunited!
At Revelations 21:4, God promises us that one day “death will be no more.” I just wanted to share that comforting thought with you, I hope it encourages you as much as it has encourages me. One day soon, the righteous will receive the full benefits of the ransom.. everlasting life..perfection! & God will restore this earth back to what he originally purposed it to be. That’s something we can all look forward to. (Psalm 37:10, 37:29).
Yes – we are so blessed to have that hope to hold on to! Our God is faithful!
Cathy,
What a beautiful tribute to your parents and to Christ. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to lose them so closely together in time. Death does sting. But because Christ conquered the enemy once and for all, we have eternal life. It lessens the sting and gives us hope.
Thank you so much for joining me here at #MomentsofHope to share this beautiful post.
Much love,
Lori
Thank you, Lori! A beautiful theme for a link up! So grateful for the hope we have in Christ!
[…] Why The Resurrection Gives Me Hope […]