Finding Lasting Hope: Through the Resurrection of Jesus

As I reflect on this Easter Sunday, I want to share from my heart about the hope that Jesus brings into our lives, especially in times when life feels uncertain, heavy, or even hopeless. Today, we celebrated the resurrection—He is risen! And that truth is the foundation of our hope, not just for someday, but for right now, in the midst of our struggles.

Many of us come into church today with smiles, ready to sing and celebrate. But underneath, some of us carry burdens—anxiety, grief, broken relationships, or fears about the future. I want you to know, you're not alone. The world around us is full of chaos and instability, and it’s easy to feel like hope is slipping away. But Easter reminds us that hope is not just wishful thinking; it’s rooted in a person—Jesus Christ.

In John 20, we see Mary Magdalene, overwhelmed with grief, standing outside the empty tomb. She’s crying, not recognizing Jesus when He first appears to her. Yet, Jesus gently asks, “Why are you crying?” It’s a simple question, but it’s profound. Jesus, the risen Lord, meets her in her pain and grief, and in that proximity, He turns her suffering into hope. He calls her by name—Mary—and in that moment, hope is reborn. Jesus’s love and presence transform her tears into joy.

This story reminds us that Jesus is close, even when we don’t recognize Him right away. He’s asking us the same question today: “Why are you crying?” Whatever your burden, He wants to hear your answer. And when you turn to Him, He responds with love—calling you by name, offering hope that endures beyond the chaos of this world.

Easter is also about understanding where lasting hope comes from. It’s not in our circumstances changing overnight, nor in blind optimism. It’s in the victory of Jesus over death, which anchors our hope in something unshakable. Romans 5 teaches us that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope—hope that is alive because of the resurrection. Hope rooted in Jesus is resilient; it’s Spirit-empowered and eternal. It’s a hope that sustains us through trials, grief, and uncertainty.

And this hope begins not when life is perfect, but right now, because in Christ, eternal life has already begun. As 1 John 5 reminds us, “Whoever has the Son has life.” Our identity as children of God is the source of our hope—hope that is anchored in His love, His sacrifice, and His victory over death. Even in the chaos, we can hold onto this hope because it’s based on Jesus, not on our ability to hold on.

If you haven’t yet surrendered your life to Jesus, today is a perfect day to do so. He’s calling your name, just as He called Mary’s. You can step into the hope that lasts, the hope that transforms suffering into endurance and despair into joy. Come talk to us after the service; we’d love to walk with you in that decision.

As we prepare to share in communion, I want to leave you with this: Jesus, in His humility, chose to appear to Mary in her grief, not with grand fanfare, but with a simple question and a loving call. He’s doing the same today—asking you, “Why are you crying?” and calling you by name. Will you respond? Will you cling to Him, or turn away? Hope has a name—His name is Jesus—and He’s saying your name today.

Remember, hope is not just for someday—it’s for today. And it’s found in Jesus. He is risen! Amen.