Devotional: Easter Hope 1 Peter 1:1-3

The National Basketball Association (NBA) suspends it season when it learns that one of its players has tested positive for COVID-19. Super star Labron James responds to the suspension. He tweets that schools, businesses, and other institutions are canceled because of the coronavirus. He suggests that the year 2020 should be canceled. Others express hope that the virus pandemic will end soon and we can return to our normal routines; and life as we know it.

The suspension of the NBA season takes place one month before Jews celebrate the Passover and Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus. While schools, sporting events, office work, and non essential businesses are being shut down Easter reminds Christians that their hope is not in things that the world offers. Although churches will not meet in person this Easter, we still have hope. Easter means resurrection, and our hope is in the resurrection of Jesus.

Easter reminds us that Jesus lives today. His death on the cross does not mean that God suspends His work of forgiveness and reconciliation. For Christians, Easter means new life in Christ. Hope is not lost even though we experience physical death. Instead, we believe that Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. Our way of life and even physical death does not end our life with God. Just as Jesus died and is raised from the grave, we too will be raised from the dead to live eternally with Him.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank you for our hope for eternal life found in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.