Promises Promises

I don’t remember a year when I was happier to see the month of March come than I was this year.  The reason?  For me, March is the promise that spring, and ultimately summer, is just around the corner.  This winter just passed (I pray it’s actually passed) was downright brutal.  There were days I didn’t believe spring would come again.  But March came, temperatures rose, the ice and snow melted.  In fact, as I write this article my windows are open, I’m wearing short sleeves and I’m thinking about a motorcycle ride!  How could I have doubted the arrival of spring?  For forty-nine years March has come and with it the beginning of spring.

Like March, Easter faithfully arrives each year and it reminds me of a greater promise than that of spring.  Easter reminds me of the promise of the resurrection.  For Christians, Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  But Easter is about more than a past resurrection, it’s about a future one as well.  Jesus said “…I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. 26They are given eternal life for believing in Me and will never perish.” John 11:25-26

Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t about Him only; it’s about those who believe in Him also.  Because He paid the debt for sin by giving His life as a sacrifice and then rose to eternal life, we who trust Him, even though we may face physical death, will not face spiritual death.  And though our bodies will likely die, Jesus promises to resurrect and change them to the image of His resurrected body, uniting us with our new body to live forever with Him.  What an exciting promise!  Sometimes in the midst of the trials and troubles of life, I can become discouraged wondering if that will ever actually happen.  But then, like spring, Easter comes again reminding me that God is faithful.  Just as He controls the seasons, He controls my eternal destiny.  Just as I trust Him for the arrival of spring, so too can I trust Him with my resurrection. 

In days gone by I can remember people making promises that they either could not or would not keep.  When they made more promises, I would shake my head and say “promises, promises.”  Not so with Jesus—Not only can He keep His promises, He has kept every one, including the return of spring each year.  One day I will die; my physical body will stop functioning.  But I know as sure has spring follows each winter that Jesus will resurrect my body again and in His presence I will never know death again.  This promise is extended to all who trust in Him.  Where’s your faith today?  Jesus’ promises are always true.