Day 1: I’m Alive
Laura Brooks, a fifty-two-year-old mother of two, didn’t know it but she was one of 14,000 people in 2011
—Winn Collier, Our Daily Bread Author
On that ominous day when the sky went dark, Jesus cried out from the cross and breathed His last. Jesus’ followers, many already in hiding, drowned in their sorrows. Mary lost a son; the disciples a rabbi. The throngs who’d flocked to Jesus, desperate for God to help them, retreated in despair.
The prophets had foretold that the Messiah would bring healing not only for Israel, but for all the nations, for the whole of creation and for all mankind. Those who were thirsty and put their trust in Him would receive living water. Those who were wounded and broken would be mended. Those who were enemies would become friends. The lion would lie down with the lamb. All that was wrong would be made right.
But Jesus was dead. And every hope died with Him.
However, Jesus didn’t remain dead. He walked out of that dark tomb. Jesus intended to heal human misery at the very root: to kill death itself, to bury evil by extinguishing evil in His own body. The cross demonstrated Jesus’ relentless, astonishing love: He’d go through death and hell in order to heal us.
Emerging from the tomb, Jesus emphatically announced that nothing could stop God’s promises. Will we truly be healed one day? Will enemies truly be friends? Will Jesus’ love really be strong enough to mend our ravaged world? Yes! Because nothing—not even death—can stop God.
Empowered by Jesus’ resurrection, we too can love in ways that might seem impossible. The following articles will help you better understand the amazing, extravagant love Jesus has poured out for you.
