1 Thessalonians 1:10
“and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.”
There are themes of resurrection , particularly with Spring. Some plants appear to be dead, due to Winter. Yet, with the rains and the warmer climate, they return to life.
The sabbath also symbolizes the cessation of activity, like Winter. The next day is a new week. We get to start fresh. While it isn’t a new life, it’s a small, new beginning.
The Lord gave us the hope of resurrection all around us. We also have the hope of a new start within us. We persist through difficult circumstances due to this hope. This is a gift from The Lord. It gives us joy and an expectation for more.
With all the resurrection themes, there has been only one true resurrection, Jesus. He conquered death. Paul quotes Hosea in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
While we have this driving hope, we also have a fear of death. We know it’s an end to our mortal life. Yet, we sense that we are eternal; that we will live on past the grave. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that “God has placed eternity in our hearts.” We know there’s an afterlife. What’s scary is what will it be? Jesus went there and returned. He has the message of hope.
No other religion has it’s leader come back from the grave. Most have positive teaching that help one get through life. Only Jesus gives hope for the afterlife. God raised Him from the dead.
Lord, thanks for the resurrection. Thanks that we have hope beyond the grave.