Living Hope: A Countdown to EasterSample

“Take heart.” 

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection. But, we do know it took place during the Passover celebration: a week-long holiday that commemorated when God freed the Israelites from slavery. 

During the celebration, Jews would share a meal with each other and sacrifice perfect lambs at the temple before preparing to rest on the Sabbath. It was the day before the Sabbath that Jesus’ body was sealed inside the tomb. 

Imagine being a disciple of Jesus while this happened. Not only has one of your closest friends just been wrongly killed, but you aren’t allowed to properly grieve his death until the day of rest is over. 

What the disciples didn’t realize at the time was that the pain they were experiencing was part of a bigger story—a plan to redeem us all. God could see the resurrection coming, even though the disciples couldn’t. 

Rest reminds us that God is Lord over every situation. And rest helps us refocus on what matters most: the One who promises to provide all we need. When we choose to be still in the middle of hardship, we choose to worship God. 

So no matter what’s going on around you today, choose to rest in God—even if the world around you is choosing to worry. Nothing is impossible for Him.

Pray: Jesus, today, help me to rest in You. I know that You are greater than whatever’s going on around me. My hope is in You alone because You are my salvation. I believe that You have already answered the cries of my heart, even though I’m still waiting to see the answers. So today, I choose to fix my eyes on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.