“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23
by Sue Wayman
This year, Passover begins at sundown on 1st April, and Good Friday will be on 3rd April.
This is the time in the official Christian calendar when the thoughts of many turn to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews explains that whilst the Jews offered regular animal sacrifices according to the law of Moses, this is no longer necessary because “we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).
Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that he was victorious over death and now we, who believe in and follow him, also have the hope that we too will be resurrected when our time comes. The hope that we have is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on God’s promises.
These verses come from a passage that is encouraging followers of Jesus to persevere in their faith in spite of ridicule and persecution. This is exactly what Jesus’ disciples did, and this is also what we are called to do as his followers today. I am thankful that we can meditate on Jesus’ death and resurrection every day of our lives, with thanksgiving that we no longer live in darkness but have been born again into the kingdom of light. We too can rejoice that death does not have the final word.
When the risen Jesus revealed himself to Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus Road, Saul had a huge turn-around. Jesus changed Saul from being a killer and persecutor of Christians to becoming Paul, an apostle and leader in the early Christian Church.
These days many around the world are being killed for their faith in Jesus: many in Nigeria and South Sudan to name but two countries.
Being a Christian is not leaning on an emotional crutch, but is a call to be courageous. Being a Christian is being able to testify to the amazing ways in which Jesus has completely changed our lives.
I challenge you to read or reread a powerful testimony of a contemporary Christian this month, as you think about how Christ not only forgives us, and promises us eternal life, but is able to transform us, as we yield to him each day in our daily walk.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”