Today's Focus: He Lives to Restore My Hope    Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would have little hope for the future. That's how the disciples felt after his death. "We hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:19). Their hope for a better life had died along with Jesus. But Jesus lives, and it makes a difference. My hope for the future is restored. I have victory over the feeling of hopelessness, because the one who heals me and gives me a better life is himself alive. He lives to restore my hope.

Today's Focus: He Lives to Give Me Proof and Peace     Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would have to wonder whether anything he said was true. Thomas had been taught and trained by Christ himself. He heard Jesus predict his death and resurrection. Even after hearing the eyewitness testimony of friends, Thomas still had doubts about the resurrction of Jesus. But Jesus lives, and it makes a difference. Today I have great comfort as someone with coubts about Christ's promises in my life. Jesus engages me with continuing assurances in Word and sacrament. I have proof. I have peace.

Today's Focus: Jesus Dries My Tears and Takes Away My Fears   I can walk through a cemetery where loved ones are buried. What do I feel? Sadness as I think of their departure? Fear that I will soon join them? Without the resurrection of Jesus, I fear death and I continue to cry. But he lives, and it makes a difference. Jesus is the resurrection first fruits for the harvest of humanity. Dead is not dead forever. death is not final at all! My deceased Christian loved ones are not gone forever. I will see them again. Jesus will do what he promised. He dries my tears. He takes away my fears. 

Today's Focus: Easter Makes All the Difference   Life is full of either/or moments. Some of them are of little long-term consequence. I will have either the chicken or the fish. Some of them matter more. I will accept the new job offer or keep my current job. One either/or moment is life-changing for every human being. Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus claimed he would rise from the dead. "The Son of Man must suffer many things...be killed and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31). So if Jesus remains dead, he is both a failure and a fraud. If Christ has not been raised, we are still in our sin. But Jesus is alive! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Jesus' resurrection makes all the difference! Easter is a celebration of that fact.