Jesus is risen!
His followers rejoiced in his resurrection. We rejoice. Jesus is risen indeed.
But before Resurrection Sunday, they suffered the anguish of Good Friday. The disciples mourned as they witnessed their beloved friend and teacher mocked, scourged, and crucified. Jesus’s death on the cross shattered their dreams.
They didn’t understand resurrection was coming.
Sometimes we can’t see resurrection coming. We often lose hope when we are confronted with the death of a vision, shattered dreams, or unfulfilled promises.
But we are in good company. Besides the disciples, there were others in the Bible who did not see resurrection coming.
- Sarah
Sarah waited years for the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise of a son, a promise the Lord gave to her husband, Abraham. But as time passed, she rationalized that maybe the promise didn’t include her. She gave her maidservant to her husband, and Hagar bore Ishmael.
Sarah didn’t understand resurrection was coming.
At the age of ninety-nine, Sarah laughed when the Lord promised she would bear a son. A year later, she held Isaac in her arms.
God had resurrected Abraham’s promise through Sarah
2. Hagar
Hagar and Ishmael lived in the tents of Abraham until Sarah demanded Abraham throw her out. Abraham sent them out into the desert with bread and a skin of water. When the water ran out, Hagar left Ishmael alone. She didn’t want to watch her son die.
Hagar didn’t understand resurrection was coming.
But God heard Ishmael’s cries. He showed Hagar a well and promised her that he would make her son a great nation.
God resurrected Hagar’s hope for a future.
3. Hannah
Hannah grieved her barrenness. In her anguish, she poured out her heart to the Lord in the temple. The priest accused her of drunkenness, and the other wife tormented Hannah in her barrenness.
Hannah didn’t understand resurrection was coming.
But Hannah conceived Samuel followed by several more children.
God resurrected Hannah’s dream.
4. Naomi
Naomi left her homeland with her husband and two sons during a famine. Within ten years, her husband and sons had died. She had lost everything. She returned to her homeland with her devoted daughter-in-law, Ruth, who refused to leave her side. She told her friends to call her Mara, for the Lord had dealt with her bitterly.
Naomi didn’t understand resurrection was coming.
But when Ruth married her husband’s relative and bore a son, Naomi’s mourning turned to joy.
God resurrected her vision of an heir to carry her husband’s name.
5. Esther
Esther was one of many beautiful maidens carried off to the king’s harem by royal decree. The king had deposed his previous queen due to her insubordination. He sought out a new queen and ultimately chose Esther. But trouble brewed in the kingdom. A wicked Haman enlisted the king’s help to destroy the Jewish people. As a Jew, Esther’s uncle requested she beseech the king on behalf of her people. But if she approached the king without being summoned, she could be sentenced to death.
Esther didn’t know resurrection was coming.
She fasted and prayed before approaching the king. He extended his royal scepter to Esther and listened to her requests.
God resurrected a future for Esther and her people.
Like Jesus’s disciples, we can’t always see resurrection coming. Our pain can distort our vision and crush our hope. But Jesus is our resurrection. He is our hope. No matter what circumstances we face, Jesus can breathe life into our dead dreams and unfulfilled promises.
Resurrection is coming!
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
(Lamentations 3:22–23 nlt)
Even in our brokenness, God promises us a tomorrow.
