But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. - 2 Corinthians 4:13-15 NLT

Heavenly Father, on this Good Friday, we look back at what Jesus did for us on the cross and we look forward to the discovery of the empty tomb. During the spiritual darkness between the cross and the resurrection, people who were with Jesus at the time had to have been living in such confusion and despair. If only they had the hindsight that we do, knowing in a few short days new life would manifest miraculously as a resurrected Jesus appeared to his mourners. He brought them hope. He eased their doubt. He gave them a chance of new life in the Spirit. The truth is I have believed, I have received grace, and I have new and eternal life. I pray that I will live with clarity of this hindsight, with perspective and persuasion to speak of my knowledge and experience of Jesus with faith and thanksgiving. To God be the glory. Amen.