Hope

Jesus once stood by the tomb of a close friend called Lazarus, a young man with two sisters - Mary and Martha. You can find the story in the gospel of John, chapter 11.

Jesus had been asked to come when Lazarus was very ill but by the time he arrived, Lazarus had died. Mary and Martha knew that if had come then Lazarus would have lived. As Jesus talked with them two profound things happened:

Jesus wept.

Here is God on earth, moved to tears by sorrow and grief. Death is an intrusion into the world. Jesus weeps with those who mourn.

I am the resurrection and the life.

Jesus raised Lazarus to life again, but Lazarus would grow old and die in the future. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, he did not delay death. He defeated it.

God has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

If you would like to find out more about Hope - the victory of Jesus over death - then please get in touch. Or explore the 3-2-1 Course, which is free and online.