One of the things I love most about Easter is the intentionality it brings. So often we go about our days and don’t take the time to celebrate our Savior. We know and firmly believe in the life-changing truth of the gospel, but we don’t spend a lot of time celebrating it. But this Sunday in our churches, we will marvel at the glorious power of Jesus. We will sing of victory and hope. We will rejoice in the gift of life we receive because of the cross and the resurrection. We will be filled with joy, thanksgiving, and peace.
As I think about Easter, there are two specific truths about God that fill my heart with joy today. There are many, many reasons to rejoice, but here are two that I hope will resonate with your heart and the hearts of the women you lead.
God always fulfills His promises.
Throughout Scripture, we see that when God promises something, He always comes through. The resurrection of Jesus is no different. In Matthew 16:21, Jesus told His disciples that He would die and “be raised the third day.” When He said this, the didn’t disciples fully understood or believe Him. In fact, Peter denied it to be true in verse 22, saying, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!”
At the time, the disciples didn’t see this prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection as a good thing. From their perspective, it would mean losing a dear friend and teacher. But Jesus understood that the prediction of what was to come—His death and resurrection—was actually the greatest promise He could have ever made to them. It was the promise that would change the world.
Because of the fulfillment of that promise, we are now reconciled with the Father (Romans 5:10-11). We have an unwavering hope that will carry us into a glorious eternity with Him. We can rest confidently in His Word because He faithfully fulfills His promises.
God is greater than our greatest fear.
For many people, death is the single human experience they fear the most. The permanence. The unknown. The pain it causes loved ones. It’s a very real and powerful fear that grips the hearts of humanity.
But for the follower of Jesus, death is no longer something to be feared. It is no longer a threat. Jesus overcame death once and for all so that we may experience eternal life with Him. In 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, we are reminded of this truth:
“Death, where is your victory?
Death, where is your sting?
Now the sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
Because Jesus overcame death—the one thing we can never overcome on our own—we can face whatever comes our way with complete confidence in His power. No fear you face today is greater than the power of God. Nothing can or will overcome Him. You can stand firmly in that truth today and every day.
What truth about the Lord fills your heart with joy this Easter? How has the reality of the resurrection changed your life? Tell us in the comments section below!
Tessa Morrell is the editorial manager at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn. In addition to her role on staff as a writer and editor, she also has the joy of serving as a volunteer Bible study leader of a small group of young adult women each week.
