The Promise of Easter
– Matthew 28:6
“But mom, you promised!” my eight-year-old eyes widened as the words roared off her tongue while she sat with arms crossed and lips tight. I couldn’t remember what I had promised her that would cause such an uproar. Then, it dawned on me. I had promised a trip to her favorite dollar store for doing well on her spelling test. I sighed, thinking to myself, why did I promise such a thing? But soon, my mommy guilt got the best of me, and I got to her eye level. I uncrossed those tightened arms, put her hot, fiery hands in mind, and said, “I’m sorry! You’re right! I did promise. We’ll go this afternoon.” Those big, wide eyes softened, and that frown turned into a big smile.
As parents, it’s easy to make promises and unintentionally forget all about them, or make a promise and fail to come through on what we promised. This isn’t just a parenting mishap. We often forget to call that friend we promised we would check on. We might forget to pray for that person we said we would pray for. We even forget to do things we promised God we would do. Unfortunately, humans are great at breaking promises. Fortunately, this is a good thing! It is an echo of our depravity and points to God’s deity. Christ's Resurrection is a powerful reminder that, unlike us, our God is a promise-keeping God.
In Matthew 28:6, two women are met by an angel who informs them that their Savior, whom they had come to seek, was not where they had expected Him to be - simply because He had risen. Jesus, the Savior of the world, had died three days prior, and his body was buried right where they stood, but instead of looking upon a body, all they saw was an empty tomb.
The angel reminds the women that they should have expected this to happen simply because it was what Jesus promised. In Matthew 20:17-19, Jesus Himself told his disciples that he would be condemned, mocked, and eventually crucified but that he would be raised to life in three days. It is just one of many Scriptural accounts of Christ's death and resurrection, proving that God's Word is true and He is faithful to fulfill what He promised.
Resurrection Sunday is proof that we serve a promise-keeping God - the Savior points to the fact that God keeps His promises and fulfilled His most significant promise through Jesus! This Easter, as you remember and celebrate the greatest event in human history, may it serve as a reminder that God is faithful and His promises are true. Yes, and amen!
Questions for Reflection:
- Think of a time that you made a promise to someone but didn’t keep. How did that make you feel?
- Have you ever made a promise to God that you didn’t follow through on? What did you do about it?
