Inspirational Wednesday: The Day Hope Died

The Jews were an oppressed people. They had endured years of captivity and war. They were slaughtered for their faith. It had been over 400 years since a true prophet had spoken in the land. It seemed God was silent. Had He turned away from His people? Now the Jews were being persecuted by Rome. When would their suffering end? The prophets had spoke of a messiah….a King that would bring Peace. God had promised to restore the promised land to His people. Where was this messiah? Whispers are in the marketplace…….the stars mark the birth of a King…..years pass…there’s talk of a prophet baptizing in the river Jordan. And then the Messiah appears…..there is a man healing the sick & feeding the hungry. This man Jesus speaks as if He’s from another world. People are moved by His words. They flock by the thousands to hear Jesus speak. Has the Messiah really come?

The disciples laid down their lives to follow Christ. They left their nets to follow this teacher…this prophet. Jesus’ miracles stirred the crowd. Did Moses perform greater miracles than these? Did King David raise the dead? Surely this man Jesus was the awaited messiah? He was the answer to all their problems. Surely Jesus would deliver them from Rome? Surely Jesus would be the Jew’s king?

The disciples didn’t understand. What could Jesus mean? He was going to die? He was going where they couldn’t go? Why did Jesus say such strange things? The Jewish people praised Jesus as their king but many turned away when Jesus claimed to be the Son of God….when Jesus said He is the bread of life. His teachings were hard to understand. What did seeds and the harvest have to do with defeating Rome? Why did Jesus spend His time with tax collectors & prostitutes?

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The disciples didn’t understand…but still they followed. A few began to see the light. It became clear that Jesus was & is the son of God….but who could grasp that? They walked with Him daily……Why would God take on flesh? Despite their confusion the disciples knew Jesus would save them. But all the talk of death & persecution made them nervous.

Then it happened…..one of their own betrayed Jesus. The awaited Messiah….the King who would save the Jews was taken to be killed! This man who claimed to be God…..this man who healed people and raised the dead allowed Roman soldiers to take Him….to beat Him. This Godman told Peter to put away his sword….to stop fighting…to LET the soldiers take Him. He said He was giving his life freely. Why would he say that? Why didn’t Jesus fight?

The night was terrifying. Everyone was running. The disciples were afraid for their lives. They scattered like sheep without a shepherd. A few followed the soldiers and they watched as Jesus was beaten and the next day nailed to a tree. Their messiah…..their King was a mess of bloody flesh. He was naked for the whole world to see. Jesus was marred beyond recognition. He bore the mark of shame………to die the death of a criminal. What had Jesus done to deserve this? The people who shouted Jesus’ praises were now shouting “crucify!” Hadn’t the Lord healed these people……He had fed them as well…and now they rejoiced in His death.

This was not what should happen to the Messiah. As Jesus began to die, so did every hope the disciples had. There would be no deliverance from Rome. Evil had won again. It seemed God had abandoned them. Even Jesus cried “Why have you forsaken me?!” “It is Finished.” Jesus died. Those words stung….hope was finished. The dream the disciples had pursued was shattered. Everything died when Jesus died. What was left for His followers? They were nothing special. Most of them had denied Jesus somehow. They were scared. They went into hiding. Would the soldiers come for them next?

It seemed death had won…..even the Messiah was bound by the curse. Two days is a long time to live in complete depression and fear. When hope has died there is no reason to live.  But…….

Early Sunday morning the women went to the tomb where Jesus was buried…and HE WAS NOT THERE! The angel said the Lord had risen! The disciples could not believe their ears. Surely the women were delusional…..they had seen Jesus’ flesh torn to pieces…….they saw the nails pierce his wrists. But some spark of hope filled Peter and John. They ran to the tomb. It was empty! The grave clothes were sitting there but no Jesus. Had someone stolen the body?

Thomas couldn’t believe it. It sounded too good to be true. The others claimed to have seen Jesus…..alive. Thomas remembered how the Lord had died. No…he could not believe it. He would have to touch the nail prints….put his hand in Jesus’ pierced side to believe it. Who could believe in Resurrection? Surely it was vain hope……blind faith.

And then Christ appeared and Thomas believed. Not only did Jesus Christ appear to His disciples, He also appeared before 500 witnesses. They watched as He rose into the sky and the angels foretold his second coming. Not only did Christ rise…He also remained on the earth for forty days. He even ate with people. Jesus was not a ghost. He was and is fully alive. It was during this time Jesus again made it clear why He had come. Jesus had come to save people from the inside out. It wasn’t about setting up an earthly kingdom but rather setting up a Kingdom within the hearts of men.

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Jesus came to break the curse. He took the punishment for sin. He bridged the gap between Holy God and sinful people. He offered forgiveness to those who would accept it. He came to save us eternally. Had Christ destroyed Rome, sin and death would still rule the world. Christ came to crush death….to defeat sin……to offer eternal life and freedom from sin. It made sense now. Jesus came to be King over all…..He came to save Gentiles as well as Jews. He came to save the world. The disciples were forever changed. Once they had denied Christ……they had been cowards. Now the disciples were bearers of light and truth. Now the disciples would proclaim Jesus all over the known world even though most of them would be killed for it. They were no longer afraid. The resurrection changed everything.

HOPE DIED……BUT THREE DAYS LATER IT ROSE AGAIN.

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May you remember in this world of darkness that there is ONE true light……ONE hope for the world…..and that is Jesus Christ. You will find lasting hope only in Him. The resurrection changed EVERYTHING. Let it Change YOU 🙂

God bless and remember THE HIGH KING LIVES! ~Amber Dover

PS: May these videos inspire you as you remember Christ’ death and resurrection:

The Skit Guys (Passover)

“This Blood” by Carman (video from The Passion)

WARNING: not for children. I can’t watch the Passion because it is way too gory and traumatic. I believe we can feel the impact of the cross without seeing what happened in detail. I think if we watch it too much we become desensitized. But I could not find any other quality videos for this song….they all had clips from The Passion. So you may have to turn your head a few times or just listen to the song and not watch the video. This song gives me chills but I couldn’t watch the video. I thought I was going to have a panic attack after the whip struck Jesus.

Carman “Sunday’s on the Way” ( I love this song)