This passage from my book Visions of the Church is very precious to me.

On the morning that my Father died, I “just happened” to read it.

Now, it is one of the passages I often share with those who have lost someone they cherish:

The Truth of Easter is that Jesus rose from the dead.

And, although this historical fact seems impossible, it is nevertheless true.

How can it be? Because what is impossible with humans is possible with God. (Luke 18:27).

The Truth of Easter is that our sins are forgiven.

On the Cross, Jesus bore the punishment for our sins. Now, instead of suffering eternal death, we can enjoy eternal life.

And, because our sins are forgiven by God and forgotten by God, we can forget what lies behind and press on toward what is ahead: “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 KJV).

The Truth of Easter is that we need no longer fear death.

We should weep at the tombs of those we love just as Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35).

However, we should not grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

For we believe that we shall meet again those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. We shall laugh with them again. We shall hug them again. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The Truth of Easter is that there is always hope. (Job 14:7).

No matter how much it looks as if we have failed. No matter how much it looks as if evil has triumphed.

There is still hope!

Therefore, we must still keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). We must still keep loving (Matthew 24:12-13).

Because—in God’s good time and in God’s good way—God will bring:

—good from evil (Genesis 50:19-20; Exodus 7:3-5);

—healing from suffering (Job 42:1-6; Isaiah 53:4-5,10-12); and

—life from death (Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:12-26).

How?

Although this is impossible for humans, it is possible for God.

For “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).

“Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ.” Not “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword” (Romans 8:35).

“[I]n all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

For . . . neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39).

The Truth of Easter gives joy to the world—joy for all Humanity!

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For more of my thoughts about how the Truth of Easter gives joy for all Humanity, please read my blogs “Jesus Embodies Hesed—The Vision of Isaiah”, “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Fulfilling the Law of Moses and the Prophets”, “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Sowing the Ideals of the Law of Moses and the Prophets”, and “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Saving Lost Sheep, Lost Coins, and Lost Sons”.