(April 14, 2025) Angeline Selvakumari shares precious Easter truths…

In the midst of our busy lives and relentless struggles, hope can sometimes feel distant. There are moments when our faith wavers, when doubt clouds our vision, and when we struggle to perceive God’s hand at work.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by uncertainty, take heart— you are not alone.

It’s Easter this weekend— a celebration of renewed hope— a time when despair is transformed into joy through Christ’s resurrection.

Remember the incident of two dismayed disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35? It powerfully illustrates this truth of hope renewed, reminding us that even in our moments of doubt, Jesus walks beside us, ready to rekindle our faith and restore our hope.

Patiently Loving Saviour
Picture those disciples walking along a dusty road, their steps heavy with sorrow and their hearts weighed down by disappointment. They had placed all their hopes in Jesus, believing He was the long-awaited Messiah who would redeem Israel. But now, with His crucifixion fresh in their minds, their dreams lay in ruins.

Though rumours of His resurrection had begun to spread, their grief and doubt clouded their understanding. As they journeyed, a stranger joined them— Jesus Himself— though they didn’t recognise Him. When He inquired about their conversation, they poured out their sorrow and confusion.

Jesus listened patiently, then gently rebuked them: ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!’ (Luke 24:25). His words were not harsh but a tender call to remember the promises of scripture— a reminder that every prophecy, every divine assurance, had always pointed to Him.

How often do we find ourselves in those disciples’ place? We know God’s promises, yet when adversity strikes, our focus shifts to our troubles rather than His truth. Our emotions overshadow our faith, leaving us discouraged. But the unchanging reality remains: Even when we fail to recognise Him, Jesus is walking with us, patiently waiting to reveal Himself in our lives.

Painful Burdens Comforted
What makes the Emmaus account so profoundly moving is the way Jesus chooses to approach His disciples. He does not immediately reveal His identity with grandeur or spectacle. Instead, He walks beside them, listens to their sorrow,and gently leads them toward understanding. In doing so, He demonstrates His deep awareness of our struggles.

Jesus meets us in our moments of brokenness and grief. He does not demand instant faith or expect our pain to disappear overnight. Rather, He offers His loving presence and the healing power of His truth.

Think about the times you have felt lost— perhaps after a painful breakup, loss of a job, or failures that seemed insurmountable. In those moments, you may have wondered if God was silent.

Yet, the truth is that He was always there— walking beside you, speaking through His word, and patiently waiting for you to recognise Him.

Jesus invites us to bring our burdens into His presence, allowing Him to transform our sorrow into hope. As John 11:25 declares, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’ This promise is not just for the distant future but for the challenges we face every day.

Powerful Renewing Hope
As the disciples continued their journey, Jesus began to unfold the scriptures before them. He revealed how every prophecy— from Moses to the psalms— had been pointing to His suffering and ultimate glory.

Imagine the depth of that conversation: Every word, prophecy, foreshadowing suddenly brought to life. No wonder the disciples later exclaimed ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the scriptures to us?’ (Luke 24:32).

The Bible is not a relic of the past; It is a living, active guide (Hebrews 4:12) that continues to speak to our hearts today. When we immerse ourselves in scripture, we invite God’s truth to silence the doubts and fears that threaten our peace.

The disciples did not need physical proof of Jesus’ presence— they needed the illumination that comes from understanding His word. And when that illumination pierced through their despair, their hearts burned with renewed hope.

Consider Romans 6:4 which declares, ‘We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.’  This new life is built on the foundation of resurrection hope— a hope that transforms us from within, renewing our spirits even in the darkest moments.

Profound Resurrection Truths
The resurrection of the crucified Christ from the tomb is not merely a historical event confined to Easter morning; It is the cornerstone of our faith and the ultimate demonstration of God’s power over sin and death.

Paul proclaimed: ‘… now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive’ (1Corinthians 15:20-22NKJV).

This profound truth assures us that death is not the end. Neither are our trials or failures—  Jesus’ victory over the grave guarantees that we too can rise above our circumstances.

When life’s hardships overwhelm us, the resurrection offers a shift in perspective: Our present suffering is temporary, but the hope of eternal life is unwavering.

This is not a call to dismiss our pain but an invitation to see it through the lens of Christ’s triumph. In Him, we find the strength to endure, the courage to hope, and the promise of a future beyond what we can see.

Perseverance Amid Trials
Living in the light of resurrection hope does not mean life will be free of challenges. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:18NKJV, ‘I consider that ourpresent sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.’ No matter how painful our trials may be, they are temporary inlight of the eternal glory promised to us.

In fact, our struggles can serve as the very soil in which our faith takes root and grows. James 1:2-3 encourages us to ‘Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.’  

When we endure hardships with the assurance of resurrection hope, we uncover a strength within us that we never knew existed.

Peace and Restoration
History is filled with accounts of individuals who found renewed hope in themidst of overwhelming loss.

One such story is that of Horatio Spafford, a man who endured unimaginable grief. In 1873, he lost his four daughters in a tragic shipwreck. The depth of his sorrow was indescribable. Yet, even in his despair, he clung to the hope he had in Christ.

As he sailed to reunite with his grieving wife who had survived, Spafford passed the very spot where his daughters had drowned. There, in the midst of his anguish, he penned the words to the beloved hymn— It Is Well with My Soul.

Spafford’s response to profound loss mirrors the journey of the Emmaus disciples. Though his heart was shattered, his faith remained unbroken. He understood that while suffering is inevitable, despair does not have to be the final word. Just as the disciples recognised Jesus in the breaking of bread, Spafford experienced the peace and restoration that come from the presence of the risen Christ— even in his darkest moments.

Proclamation of Victory!
Jesus’ resurrection is more than a triumph over death— it is an invitation to reclaim our lives. Romans 8:37 proclaims ‘In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’ This is the transformative power of resurrection hope. It strengthens us to face life’s challenges, reminding us that weare not defined by our struggles but by Christ’s love and victory.

To live in this light is to trust that every trial has a purpose and every sorrow can be redeemed. It calls us to walk in courage, extend grace, and embrace the truth that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within us. It means allowing our lives to be living testimonies that hope— no matter how fragile— can be restored and renewed.

The story of Emmaus is more than a historical account— it is a personal invitation to each of us. It reminds us that even in moments of doubt and despair, Jesus walks beside us. His gentle presence reassures us that the cross was not theend, and neither are our present struggles.

So let me ask you—

• What burdens are you carrying today?
• Are you letting your emotions shape your faith?
• Or are you standing firm on the unchanging truth of God’s word?
• Have you invited the resurrected Jesus to walk with you through your challenges?
• This Easter, will you choose to move from doubt to belief, from despair to hope?

If you are struggling to see the light, take a moment now to pray. Invite Jesus into your hardships, just as He walked with the disciples. Open your Bible and meditate on passages such as John 11:25-26 and 1Corinthians 15:20-22.

Let these words assure you that He isthe resurrection and the life. No matter how deep your sorrow, His joy is ever-present, and His love is unending.

Perspective for Joy
Living with resurrection hope is more than just believing in a future promise— it’s about allowing that hope to shape and transform your daily life. It means stepping out in faith even when the path ahead is unclear, choosing forgiveness despite deep wounds, and loving even when it feels impossible.

As Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2, ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ This renewal begins when we recognise that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within us— changing our hearts, strengthening our spirits, and redefining our perspective on life.

Imagine how differently you might face challenges if you truly believed that every hardship is temporary, every setback is an opportunity for growth, and every tear is a stepping stone toward eternal joy. This is the power of resurrection hope— it fills us with a courage that can only come from knowing Christ.

As we celebrate Easter and the promise of new life in Christ, here are some practical steps to cultivate and embrace resurrection hope in your daily walk—

1. Be Immersed in Scripture
Set aside dedicated time each day to read and meditate on God’s word. Let verses such as Romans 6:4, John 11:25-26, and 1Peter 1:3 anchor your soul in His promises.

2. Commit to Prayer
Engage in honest, heartfelt conversations with God. Lay your burdens beforeHim, and listen for His voice reassuring you that you are never alone.

3. Join a Community of Believers
Surround yourself with those who share your faith and hope. In fellowship, your spirit is strengthened, and your faith deepened as you exchange testimonies of God’s transformative work in your life.

4. Live Out Your Faith
Let the hope of the resurrection shape your daily actions. Whether extending forgiveness, offering kindness to someone in need, or stepping out in faith despite uncertainty, let your life be a testament to the redemptive power of Christ.

Provision in Christ!
This Easter, may you experience a profound transformation— from sorrow to joy, from doubt to unwavering faith, from despair to a hope that never fails.

• Jesus’ resurrection is not merely a historical event.
• It is the very foundation of our faith!
• It’s a declaration that no matter how dark the night, the dawn of His light will shine forever.

As you embrace the truths of this reflection, I pray that you will carry with you the assurance that Jesus walks beside you in every step of your journey. He invites you to release your burdens and embrace a life renewed by His love and victory.

May your heart remain open to the power of His word, and may you find the strength to face each day with confidence, knowing that you are more than a conqueror through Him.

Let the words of 2Corinthians 5:17 resonate within you: ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’

Embrace this new life that Easter offers. Let the hope of the resurrection illuminate your thoughts, inspire your actions, and fill your days with an unshakable joy that only Christ can provide.

No matter the season of life you are in, know that Jesus is near!

• Open your heart!
• Trust in His promises!
• Step boldly into the new life He has prepared for you.

May this message of hope, grounded in the power of the resurrection, be a beacon of light in your darkest moments.

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Pastor Angeline Selvakumari is Honourary Editor–in–Chief Echo of His Call, India’s Spiritual Newspaper, daughter of Dr Sam Selva Raj, and newly appointed Head and Chief Functionary of EOHC offices. Link: sam@echoofhiscall.org / Dry Desert to Flowing Streams Destiny/
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