I Peter 1:3 - “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.” The Resurrection of Jesus actually happened. Jesus really did conquer hell, death, sin, and the grave. He left that tomb empty, and with it gave us the possibility of a real life that could be forever full. When we turn from our sin and place our faith fully in Jesus to save us we are given what our Scripture verse today calls a “living hope”. The Christian hope is far more than just wishful thinking and desire. It is profound certainty - confident expectation - that God keeps His Word. And because Jesus was resurrected, so shall we be as His followers. His resurrection guarantees ours. We will one day live forever in a new heaven and a new earth together with God and all believers. A place where there will never again be any pain or sorrow or tears or death or attacks by the devil. And because we know that this will be our future, we have hope for our now. Hope that our God is in control, that He is guiding all of history towards this glorious end, and that sin and sorrow and death do not have the final word in our lives. Hope that we now live life following a risen Savior Who is with us in every moment. We can know Him, listen to Him, love Him, and most wonderfully be loved completely by Him. Easter is more than just an empty symbol. It is a celebration of an on-going reality. We have a “living hope” that can’t be stopped. Happy Resurrection Day! Happy Easter!