Celebrating Easter means remembering that pivotal moment when Jesus conquered death and rose from the grave. But Easter is not only a time to remember what happened 2,000 years ago—it’s also a living promise that we carry with us as we go through life. The resurrection is not a moment locked in time but a promise that continues to unfold in our lives, offering hope, joy, and peace in the midst of our struggles.
In John 16:22, Jesus is speaking to His disciples just before His crucifixion. They are about to face grief and confusion as they witness His suffering and death. But Jesus offers this promise beforehand to give them hope: “I will see you again and you will rejoice.”
This promise isn’t only about the disciples’ reunion with Jesus after His resurrection—it’s also about the future reunion that all believers can look forward to. Jesus promises that He will come again. His resurrection is a promise of new life—not just for Him, but for all who follow Him.
And this new life begins now. As followers of Jesus, we have been raised with Him spiritually (Ephesians 2:6). We are no longer bound by the fear of death or the grip of sin. We live as people with hope, knowing that no matter what, the foundation of our identity is rooted in Him. It is because of Christ’s resurrection power within us that we have hope and can overcome sin, grief, and despair.
This same hope assures us that even during our challenges, we can look beyond our current suffering. This world is not the end. Our grief may be real now, but Jesus promises that He will return, and He will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). In His presence, there will be joy—lasting joy, unshakable joy, a joy that no one can take away.
This Easter, as we reflect on the resurrection, let’s not only look back at what Jesus accomplished on the cross and in the tomb. Let’s also look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of His promise that He will come again. In that moment, all grief will be turned to joy, and all pain will be redeemed. Until then, we live in the light of that promise, knowing that the resurrection is not just a past event—it is an ongoing promise.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV
Join us for one of our three identical Easter services this weekend! Our first service is Saturday, April 19, at 5:00 p.m., and there are two more on Sunday at 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. Visit bellevue.org/easter to learn more!