Resurrection in Everyday Life

Crucifixion. The plan was to come and die.

Jesus came to be a servant and friend, but also to be a testimony. He came to die so that we could live. But is there even more to glean from Jesus’s life and journey to the cross, the grave, and to resurrection?

As the darkness set in, the temple curtain tore. Can you hear it ripping in two? Can you feel the confusion, fear, and anxiety of the moment? What is happening? How could this be happening?

The weeping, the astonishment, the awakenings in the crowd realizing Jesus told the truth. So many responses to what they were witnessing. Some walked away, some stayed and watched. 

Death. Silence. Stillness.

Three days. 

What now? Some went about their lives as usual. Others asked to be close to and take personal care of Jesus. Others continued to grieve and believed all hope was lost.

Then, the greatest occurrence in the history of mankind. The ressurrection.

As Jesus began to reveal himself to those closest to him, they were first hand witnesses of death come to life and their hope restored. They experienced a transformed Messiah. Some believed, some doubted, others had to be with Jesus to believe.

As we reflect on the resurrection story, how do we adopt it to our story. On Easter, it’s obvious. We celebrate and worship as we rejoice and shout: “He Is Risen!”  We are assured of eternal life and so we are saved through faith. But how can we take this beautiful story and apply it to our daily lives? 

You might be able to relate to times of darkness, feeling torn apart, and weeping in grief, pain, and suffering. Eventually you may feel as if your dying inside or maybe there’s been a death where a part of you has died, or you are actually on the brink of death.

People in your life may grieve with you, offer support, but others may walk away. Some keep a distance while others walk alongside, keeping hope alive. 

Then there a period of stillness, silence, aloneness that might feel like 3 months or 3 years. Seemingly the end. People return to their normal daily routines, but for you, the darkness, the grief, the loss remains. Psalm 23 comes to mind. That in these dark places of death and uncertainty, there is a Shepherd there, leading, bringing rest, preparing a table, anointing you. As we are guided by our resurrected Savior, those around us observe all that is transpiring in our lives. In turn, their lives are impacted by the process in various ways.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we now, as His followers, can experience resurrection in our daily lives. There is hope for us. As we follow Him through the suffering and into the resurrection life, the Shepherd is fills our cup. The valley is a preparation place. And just like a valley has a mountain top, in Jesus, the valley of the shadow death has the mountain top of resurrection life.

Wait for it. Hope for it. As sure as Jesus came out of that grave, transformed, alive and conquering death, He has the same plans for you, both for your eternal dwelling but also here and now. As you go through times of darkness, death and waiting, look to Jesus…He’s bringing your resurrection! He is your resurrection! You will never be the same!

By: Bren Berger