Living In The Hope Of The Resurrection (By Gary Patterson)

 

Living In The Hope Of The Resurrection (By Gary Patterson)

Six‑year‑old Judy complained, “Mother, I’ve got a stomachache!”  

“That’s because your stomach is empty,” her mother replied. “You would feel better if you had something in it.”

That afternoon, the minister came to visit and mentioned that he had a headache. Little Judy perked up. “That’s because it’s empty,” she said. “You’d feel better if you had something in it.”

Well, I have a message that definitely has something in it—something that will make us all feel better: JESUS IS ALIVE! And because He is alive, we have a LIVING HOPE.

I once read of a little girl whose home was near a cemetery. To reach the store, she had to walk a path straight through it. Even when she returned at dusk, she never showed fear. Someone finally asked, “Aren’t you afraid to go through the cemetery?”  

“Oh no,” she replied, “I’m not afraid, for my home is just beyond.”

Are we afraid of the cemetery? We shouldn’t be. Our eternal home is just beyond this life.

Living in the Bright Hope of the Resurrection

Looking back to Jesus’ resurrection and looking forward to our own, we are called to live now in the bright, steady hope that only the risen Christ provides. The resurrection isn’t just a past event or a future promise—it’s a present power that shapes how we think, how we endure, and how we live.

And that hope becomes especially meaningful in the moments when life feels heavy. The resurrection reminds us that nothing—no sorrow, no loss, no grave—has the final word. God does. Because Christ walked out of the tomb, every believer can walk through this world with courage, purpose, and joy.

How do we live in that hope?

1. By Believing in the Fact of the Resurrection

(1 Corinthians 15:1–3)  

The resurrection is not a myth, a metaphor, or a spiritual symbol. It is a historical reality. Our faith stands or falls on this truth, and Paul reminds us that it is the very heart of the gospel.

2. By Living in the Power of the Resurrection

(Philippians 3:10)  

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us. It strengthens us to overcome sin, endure trials, and live transformed lives. Resurrection power isn’t just for the end of time—it’s for everyday life.

3. By Rejoicing in the Hope of the Resurrection

(1 Peter 1:3)  

Peter calls it a “living hope”—alive, active, and anchored in Christ’s victory. This hope lifts our eyes beyond the temporary and fills our hearts with confidence in God’s eternal promises.

All of this is found in a strong, personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Do you have that relationship today? You can. Read Acts 2:38 and follow through with what it says concerning salvation and the hope of eternal life.

Don’t wait. Do it today.  

The Christian Journeyman's Journal 

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