Nobody Expected Easter
Nobody expected Jesus to rise from the dead ... nobody.
Not the soldiers who were experts at the brutal art of crucifixion. Nobody survived. Not the rulers who sentenced him to death. Nobody resisted their will. Not the empire of Rome that ruled the world. Nobody in the capital even noticed. Not the religious leaders. They were now rid of him once and for all.
Not his disciples. This was the end of their movement. Not the crowds in Jerusalem. Their hopes of a conquering hero were crushed.
Not the principalities and powers, the evil forces in high places, the ministers of hate and cruelty, that conspired to kill the Son of God.
Only Jesus knew, because he trusted his Father to keep his promise, to fulfill his purpose, to save a lost world.
It was for the joy of a resurrection coming that he endured the pain, carried our shame, forgave his enemies, and gave his life as a sacrifice for us.
Jesus the Messiah, the Christ of God, died and rose again so that anyone who believes in him can be rescued from sin and sadness, delivered from death and judgment, reawakened by the shock of this good news and infused with hope.
On that morning, NOBODY imagined an outcome like this. And now EVERYBODY is invited to take the gift that fills our hearts, stills our fears, and transforms all of life with an everlasting love.
by Doug Stevens
