He is risen! The meaning of Easter has strengthened throughout my life, but the overarching theme remains strong. My hope is in Jesus.
According to a recent Gallup poll, “hope” is the top attribute used to describe positive leaders. The study showed hope is the most important quality people are looking for in a leader worldwide. I have great news this Easter Sunday. Hope is available to all of us.
The resurrection of Jesus broke the barriers between us and God. We have hope because all are welcome at His eternal table. Even as broken and sinful people, we are invited. The blessings of Easter are available to all.
When I feel unworthy of that invitation, I am reminded that God wanted me to see even the disciples made mistakes. Jesus is perfect, but we will never be close to perfect and that’s okay. There is no better time to reflect upon our own fallibility and need for a savior than Holy Week. God showed us Peter’s story for a reason, and I have to believe it was to say if Peter could falter, so will you. Peter, who clearly loved Jesus and understood his majesty, failed him at his darkest hour, but Jesus came back for him.
Redemption for our missteps is available to those who seek a relationship with Jesus. Those relationships seem to be on the upward climb. In years past, many people leaned into activism to fill the void of needing to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Today, Christianity is experiencing a comeback. The National Catholic Register is reporting year-over-year increases in new converts of 30%-70%. All entry fees were paid in full by Jesus.
From a political perspective, it’s quite striking to read the text and feel the emotions of Holy Week. The highs and lows of the expectations compared to reality are similar to today’s political races. The disciples believed they were walking with the next earthly king. They had heard His message, but it became clear they had not yet been able to comprehend an eternal king.
Jesus told them they were following the Son of Man who would sit on a glorious throne and appoint each of them to thrones of their own over the twelve tribes of Israel.
I have to wonder if their interpretation of a glorious throne was a worldly interpretation. “Our guy will be in power, and therefore we will have power.” They likely had dreams of a future filled with wealth, security, and rest.
That was all shattered when Jesus was arrested. Peter truly loved Jesus, but that day, he was afraid. He was asked three times if he was friends with Jesus. Fear took over and Peter panicked. He lied. He walked with the Lord, but he faltered just like we do today.
Jesus did not turn his back on Peter, and He won’t turn his back on us. Jesus is not the leader of an exclusive club; instead, Jesus is the author of inclusivity. Even after Peter’s denial, Jesus returned to him and called on Peter to “feed my sheep.” There would be no worldly riches, no power, or no rest. Peter would work, travel and suffer to share the good news of Jesus, the Messiah.
WHITE HOUSE TO CELEBRATE EASTER IN ‘RETURN TO GOLDEN ERA’
The greatest reward would come to Peter for a simple exchange: his love of Christ. Those who believe in Christ will receive greater reward than any earthly treasure. Jesus paid our debt, and on Easter, we celebrate. Jesus freed us from our sins when He went to the cross. He took the sins of the world with Him to the grave, and because He took our sins with Him in death, He also gave us life with Him in resurrection.
The stone has been rolled away. We are no longer slaves to sin. Jesus is risen! Today, on Easter Sunday, we are reminded there is hope. The leader is clear, and the path is positive. We have been called to leave sin behind and follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God’s only son took who bore the weight of our sins and died on a cross so we may live. Hope is alive, and the fee has been paid. Happy Easter.
Tudor Dixon is a former Republican gubernatorial nominee, executive in Michigan’s steel industry, breast-cancer survivor, and working mom of four girls. She is currently the host of The Tudor Dixon Podcast.
