Hopeless

When I think of this time of year, my mind tends to go to the three days that Jesus laid in the tomb. I think of these three days because I wonder what the disciples were going through. They had seen their teacher taken from them. They knew He was to be crucified. The disciples were so afraid that even the one that Christ said He would be the church upon denied Him three times. They were afraid, without direction, and ultimately hopeless.

The disciples had hidden away from the world as they were afraid that they were being hunted down as well. They hid in the upper room waiting. Until they heard the gates being rattled. They heard a calling from the street. They heard a voice that was familiar to them, but the tone was frantic “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” (John 20:2). I can only imagine that Peter’s stomach dropped at this moment, as the worst had happened. As he felt hopeless.

Then as John and Peter ran to the tomb, they found the stone rolled away as Mary had said. They walked in to see the linen that wrapped their Savior, without their savior. They went home knowing someone had taken their Savior. They went home hopeless.

But, as Mary stood weeping outside of the tomb, the Light began to shine. As she investigated the tomb, she saw two angels sitting where Christ was lain. As she spoke in hopelessness to them, she turned to be face to face with a man she did not recognize, she heard her name. Her hope was restored.

She was so overwhelmed that she tried to cling to the Savior. She was so overjoyed that He had risen. Jesus charged her with telling her brothers, and she could not wait to go share the good news. Her hope was restored.

As the disciples hid from the Jews who were hunting them, hopeless. They heard the words “Peace be with you”. The Savior was with them, and their hopes were restored.

Even when we face impossible odds. Even when we think the enemy has won. Even when we find ourselves hopeless. Know that the Lord our Savior has risen. Death could not hold Him, Satan could not beat Him, and We are loved by Him. “Peace be with you.”