Finding Hope When Life Is Hard

Have you ever paused to ask yourself honestly, why are you here today? I’m not talking about putting on your Easter smile or saying “God is good” just because it’s Easter. Genuinely, what’s your reason for being here right now?

Maybe you’re here because Jesus has profoundly transformed your life, and Easter is your heartfelt celebration of that reality. Perhaps your parents insisted you come, or a friend bribed you by promising a good meal afterward. For others, attending an Easter service is simply tradition—it’s about egg hunts, dressing up, family meals, and even tolerating grandma’s ham. But beyond tradition and obligation, what’s the true significance of Easter for you?

Let’s face it—for many, Easter is merely another holiday. Monday morning arrives, and life quickly returns to feeling heavy and burdensome. So, why does Easter matter at all?

Today, I want to highlight the profound significance of Easter, specifically the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and why it genuinely matters—not just globally, but personally for you. According to Scripture, in 1 Peter 1:3:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.”

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, your story isn’t over. Your past isn’t the final chapter, and your pain doesn’t have the last say. Ultimately, Jesus Himself has the final word.

Today, as we gather, we glorify Him and lift our hearts in prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for every person gathered here today to celebrate Your goodness, Your grace, and the empty tomb. Draw us close to You, heal our wounds, strengthen our faith, and lead us to experience the incredible goodness of Your Son, Jesus. In His name, we pray. Amen.

Currently, we’re exploring the Apostles’ Creed—a concise yet powerful summary of Christian beliefs, written in the second century. I invite you now to stand and join believers throughout history in declaring this timeless truth:

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day, He rose again. He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.”

Amen.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the heart of the gospel story, particularly the sections stating that Jesus was “crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day, He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

But why did Jesus, the Son of God, have to die?

The simple yet profound truth lies in the holiness of God. God is supremely holy—”holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” Because of His holiness, our sin deeply grieves Him. The reality is, each one of us has sinned. We’ve lied, cheated, coveted, cussed, or maybe even let our anger take over in traffic. Romans 3:23 clearly states this universal truth: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

But here’s the good news—the resurrection of Jesus offers forgiveness, redemption, and the promise of eternal life. Your mistakes don’t define your eternity; Christ’s victory over death does.

This Easter, remember, celebrate, and embrace the reality that through Jesus Christ, your story is one of hope, renewal, and eternal joy.