Lament Series: Why Easter Allows Us to Grieve with Hope

What does it mean that as Christians we get to “grieve with hope”?

How does Easter make that statement true?

As we wrap up our series on  lament, it is fitting that we got to walk through Holy Week and be reminded of how Jesus flips our sufferings upside down.

In a practical sense, how is the gospel good news for those who are suffering?

Because of Jesus’ life:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15

Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. He understands the sufferings we go through because he walked through suffering. But his understanding isn’t tainted by pride, selfishness, or a lack of compassion. Rather, Jesus perfectly sympathizes with us and can enable us to walk through whatever trials are ahead.

Because of Jesus’ death:

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

When Jesus died, so did our sinful selves. We are no longer a slave to sin. We are no longer condemned to walk through suffering with the added weight of shame and condemnation. We are no longer defined by the ugliest parts of our hearts or by the most challenging chapters in our stories. Instead we are alive to righteousness. We are called to follow Christ straight through the most difficult roads ahead, and trust that we are healed by Christ’s wounds, not our own.

Because of Jesus’ resurrection:

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Finally, the resurrection of Jesus allows us to grieve with hope because Christ really did rise from the grave. If Jesus was still dead, then not only would our faith be laughable, but our suffering would be hopeless. What is the point if we all just disappear at the end? But if Christ really rose, and we get to rise too, then our suffering doesn’t get the final say. Suffering, trials, even earthly death do not win. Because Christ has risen, we can grieve the sorrows of this world, and have the assurance of hope for the abundant life that is to come.

Every Sunday our church proclaims: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. Hallelujah!

How does this change the way you walk through suffering? How can you remind yourself of these truths this week?

The Lord has risen friends! Christ has risen indeed!