At times our lives seem to lurch from one crisis to another. Whether personal, national or international, these difficulties may lead us down a path of perplexity and brokenness. Many come to question the very meaning of life itself?

There is no position or privilege which gives immunity from these things. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, came into the world yet “his own received him not” (John 1:11). He was subject to the hardships and knocks of life. He was “despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Is 53:3). Ultimately, at the cross of Calvary, He was betrayed, arrested, falsely accused and sentenced to die an awful, agonising death.

This does not seem to be a message of real hope. And that would be true if Jesus Christ had not risen from the dead.

Writing around 2000 years ago, the Apostle Paul wrote, “if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile” (1 Cor 15:17). Indeed, if Christ is not risen, we may discount His words, discredit His blameless life, and ignore His place in history. To trust your whole life and your eternal future to a Christ who never came out of the grave, would make you “of all men the most pitiable” (1 Cor 15:19).

On the other hand, to ignore a Christ who has conquered death is surely an act of incomparable foolishness.

At Dudley Baptist Church, many have come to know Jesus Christ as their own, personal Saviour. They can say that they are sure of going to heaven. Just as Christ was not exempt from pain and difficulty, neither are they. But throughout challenges and crises they know comfort, assurance and a clear purpose. In fact, they know real hope in Jesus Christ.

“I Know That My Redeemer Lives;
What Comfort This Sweet Sentence Gives!
He Lives, He Lives, Who Once Was Dead;
He Lives, My Ever Living Head.”