Beatitudes of Promise was the theme for our worship services during Lent this year. Each service focused on one of Jesus’ Beatitudes ( Matthew 5:1-12), applying them to our journey through life. As you and I celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, I couldn’t help but think of one of these statements that Jesus spoke to His disciples “then” and to us, His disciples “today.” It is the statement: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” ( Matthew 5:4) The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead changes our perspective on life, on death, and on all things. ( Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9)

Good Friday alone will not save any of us, for it would still leave Jesus Christ in a grave, “For, if Christ has not been raised,” says Paul, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” ( 1 Corinthians 15:17-19)

Yet then comes 1 Corinthians 15:20 !!! – “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

“When Jesus arrived in Bethany, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went out to meet Him and she said to Jesus: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God
will give You whatever You ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.”

( John 11:17-27)

Faith takes hold of promises – every promise which Jesus has made! And, Jesus has kept every one! He has promised: “Before Abraham was, I am.”; “I am the Door.”; “I am the Gate.” “I am the Bread of Life.”; “I am the Light of the World.”; “I am the Good Shepherd.”; “I am the Vine.” “I am the Living One; “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”; “I am the Bright Morning Star”; “I am the Root and Offspring of David”; I am the Alpha and the Omega.” “I am the First and the Last.” “I am the Beginning and the End.” And, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

“JESUS CHRIST HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!!! HE IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE!”

This “Promise of Comfort” that Jesus spoke to His disciples on that mountainside 2,000 years ago, He now speaks to you this day: “Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted.”

And, because He Lives we can face each day and say: “For I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed.” ( Romans 8:18). Happy Easter!