by Lorie Huneycutt

Read
Romans 5:1–9
Matthew 27:1–56
Mark 10:33–34

In celebrating Easter, it is easy to overlook the significance of Good Friday. We sing “Here in the death of Christ I live,” as we stand in our Sunday best—yet in our daily lives we often find it challenging to find that same hope in the hard places.

Despite Jesus explaining to His disciples that He would be, “crucified and on the third day be raised again” (Luke 24:7), those closest to Him still lost hope on Good Friday when He died. Mary and others later went to the tomb to anoint His dead body, but instead of finding death, they found evidence of life. Scripture tells us they were “trembling” (Mark 16:8) and “they were afraid” (Matt. 28:8). How curious that their first response to finding evidence of life where they were expecting death was not hope—but instead fear.

Courage is choosing to persevere and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty—and hope takes great courage.

On this Good Friday, may we allow our souls to grieve death and sin and pain. And let us do so while acknowledging the promise of hope that comes from great courage—in persevering and believing that His love never fails. May our grief be a conduit creating the capacity for us to experience fullness of joy, and with joy may we, “draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:3).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” —Rom. 15:13

Practice
Spend a moment writing down areas of your life where you are struggling to find hope.

Prayer

Jesus, help me to have courage to hope even when all feels lost and impossible. Give me strength to persevere and to continue to remind myself that You are always faithful, and that Your love for me will always prevail.