Easter is many believers’ favorite holiday to observe. It feels almost instinctive to worship with gratitude as we recognize Jesus’ obvious victory over death, hell, and the grave.
But while it is easy to celebrate victory over a forgiven past and a secure future, it can be tough to celebrate victory over our present—just like it was hard for Jesus’ followers to celebrate His resurrection before the third day, even though He had foretold it all.
This unbelief is why Jesus appeared to three groups of people following His resurrection. Each group appeared ignorant of the victory Christ had won, not only for their past and future, but for their present as well.
We see the first in John 20:11-15, when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene.
Mary stood outside Jesus’ empty tomb, crying. She wondered who had taken His body and where they had put it. Amid her despair, Jesus appeared and asked, “Why are you crying? Who is it you’re looking for?” But she didn’t recognize Him. Then Jesus spoke her name—Mary—and her eyes opened. He asked her to share the good news with the disciples, and she did.
Like Mary, when we move from pouting to trusting God’s promises, we find victory for today.
Next, Jesus appeared to two men walking the road to Emmaus, but they, too, did not recognize Him. (Luke 24:13-27) As they talked, it was clear Jesus’ death had discouraged them immensely, so in verse 25-26, Jesus rebuked them: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” Then, He explained to them all the Scriptures concerning Himself, and later, their eyes opened, just as Mary Magdalene’s did.
Like these men, when we choose Jesus’ loving correction over our confusion, we find victory for today.
The third group of people Jesus appeared to were the eleven disciples (Judas, the twelfth, had committed suicide after betraying Jesus.) Mary Magdalene told them of Jesus’ resurrection, but not all had believed. Mark 16:14 tells us Jesus “rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe…” After this, the disciples believed and eventually spread the good news everywhere.
Like the disciples, when we choose faith over faithlessness, we find victory for today.
The Easter holiday may come and go, but its message doesn’t stop at the tomb. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you and gives you victory for every day (Romans 8:11)!
So whatever today looks like for you, friend, I pray for grace to live in light of 1 John 5:4 (NLT): “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”
Jesus is Lord over death, but He’s Lord over life, too! If we’ll trust His promises, yield to His correction, and have faith in His plan, we will find victory.
