Hope in the Resurrection

Covid-19 has been killing many people around the world. Per Sunday, 29th March 2020, there have been more than 30,000 people died globally because of this virus. This sad condition leads us to ask an important question: Is there still hope beyond this situation? 

For unbelievers, death is the end of everything; there is no hope for the future. But for believers, death is merely a medium where someone could reach eternal life. The believers believe that behind death, there is a resurrection.

The Book of Ezekiel chapter 37 illustrates a vision of the future Israel. This book was written during the time of exile in Babylon in the sixth century B.C. The condition at that time was horrendous; everything seemed dark and hopeless. However, Ezekiel prophesied that one day God would raise the people of Israel, and free them from slavery. He strengthened the Israelite with a bold message: God is still with them, even in the most challenging times of their lives. There is hope for those who believed in God.

Furthermore, hope in the resurrection is also the focus of the Gospel of John, chapter 11. This passage is the last (and the greatest) of the seven signs or miracles of Jesus. However, through this greatest miracle, Jesus also costs his own life through the crucifixion in the Golgotha. It is important to note that Martha and Mary were in great sadness as they just got lost their brother, Lazarus. That was the end of all the sweet memories they have together; that was the dark experience they had.

However, their sadness turned into joy as Jesus Christ was with them, even raising Lazarus from the dead. We need to understand though, that the resurrection of Lazarus was indeed more than a resuscitation since Lazarus has been dead for three days. However, his resurrection is undoubtedly less than a resurrection, since Lazarus will die again. Whatever the case, it is inevitable that Martha and Mary felt an abundance of joy. 

The raising of Lazarus from the dead is a preview of the Easter. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, everyone has eternal life. Jesus himself said to his disciples, “whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” This is our hope: resurrection in Christ!

From these two readings, we can learn something valuable. When everything seems dark and hopeless, when many people in the world are worried about their lives, for us believers, there is hope in God, regardless of the coronavirus. There is an unshakable certainty: Our Lord Jesus is here, and He will surely raise us. As for us, physical death is not a defeat but only as a medium towards the fullness of life together with God. We believe, whether we live or die, we belong to Christ (Roman 14:8). Just as Christ has died and risen again, we too will be resurrected together with Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Sometimes God must indeed show himself in the dark place so that His light will shine brightly, and therefore, we can see it. Was not the Lord Jesus born in Bethlehem at night? Did not Christ rise from the dead on the third day, when it was still dark? There are times when God is present in the darkness of our lives so that we can see His light and power.

The most important thing for us now is this: never give up, but put our faith more in God. It is precisely in the dark time of our lives that God wants to show his mercy, just as He was with Lazarus. Therefore, let us put ourselves in the hands of Jesus, the Son of God so that he renews our lives. He is the way, the truth, and the life!