This April, as you prepare your heart and mind to celebrate Easter, we pray that you’ll be encouraged and draw closer to our Saviour through this special devotion series “Before the Cross”. Every week, we’ll feature inspiring messages from BUV leaders and this week, you’ll hear from Rev Jonathan Stark, on Easter Hope.

Week 3: Easter Hope  – Rev Jonathan Stark, Head of Pastoral Leadership, Support & Development, BUV

When Peter woke early on Easter Sunday morning the experiences of the previous days came flooding back. His three denials, the rooster’s crows and his running away and weeping bitterly. Jesus’ crucifixion was so public, so final. And now there was so much running through Peter’s head. He was mad with himself, mad at Jesus. Why had he put his hope in him? He felt hopeless.

Peter was a pastoral leader who had experienced a deep sense of hopelessness.

Pastoral leaders can feel like Peter did. Another difficult meeting, another criticism, another unrealistic expectation that leads to feeling overwhelmed.

“Is there any reason for hope for me and for my ministry today?”

The answer is surprisingly simple.

When Peter got up that Easter Sunday there was a sudden knocking on the door. It was Mary Magdalene. She was out of breath. She had been to the tomb and found the stone removed! Peter and John ran to the tomb. They found the stone was rolled away. Jesus had risen!

Peter would later write, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” 1 Peter 1:3

Hope in the Bible is not wishful thinking but it is instead a confident expectation that is directed to the future. Peter had a real, alive, living hope and it came through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You can have real hope because Jesus is risen.

May you know this hope at Easter.