The day in history which most pointed to hope was preceded by exactly the opposite in the hours before. Everything so many assumed to come came to a crash on the hill of Golgotha where hope was drained from hearts even as they watched the life drain from the face of Jesus. How is this happening?! Those who followed Jesus were crying out, from their hearts if not from their lips. Wasn’t he the one who would usher in a kingdom for Israel? As the reactions ran rampant all over Jerusalem, all of heaven was waiting expectantly… For us, there were tears, hiding, redefining of expectations… Hope was lost. And then, suddenly, it wasn’t.
The point of interruption, which separated hope lost from hope in its’ greatest abundance, was a violent earthquake. The groanings of which seem to to be an earthly expression of the divine climax of our rescue. It was almost as if to turn heads, to gather attentions. It was a rumble that said: “Pay attention — He has won.”
And then another announcement was made.
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” — Matthew 28:5-7
The Angel of the Lord had been there at the beginning of the story too — and announced the most anticipated and desperately hoped for birth in all eternity to a group of shepherds. And then, 33 years later, he rolled away the stone which stood before the tomb and announced to a handful of women that the rescue mission was complete. That Heaven’s purpose had prevailed. Jesus, in his death, had paid the price for all sin. All of eternity was impacted in that moment — because Jesus was alive. A way was made.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6
I imagine the rock being rolled away also declares: “My dearest ones; Dream bigger! The Way and the Truth and the Life cannot be contained by an earthy kingdom where his subject’s lives are temporary. He IS ruling, He IS leading you — and not just one nation, ALL nations who would choose to follow. His rule and reign will not be overshadowed by the temporary. Dream bigger.
Someone once asked my Mom; “how can you believe that Jesus was the Messiah?! Do you see our world? Things are not good. The Holocaust happened. Wars have transpired. Children are mistreated. How can you say that the Messiah has come?” To which she replied without hesitation; “Because he is coming back. He first came to make a way. But what Christians believe is that he is coming back — and when he does, his purpose is to make all things new.”
There will be a third announcement. There will be a point of interruption in our lives once again.