Easter Reflection
“For the Lord God will shine on them.”
If our faith centers on the power of an empty tomb, why do we often find ourselves lingering at the foot of the cross?
“He has risen,” we recite to each other on Easter morning. We reply to one another with, “He has risen indeed.”
Easter is the day we celebrate the profound transformation in our lives that the empty tomb represents. It stands as a dynamic symbol of victory over death, our sins, and our fears. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (John 10:10, AMP).
We not only carry within us the power of Christ’s resurrection, but we also hold onto the intense hope of the beautiful future that awaits us.
Full Circle | Garden Tomb to New Eden
Much like the Garden of Eden and Gethsemane, the Garden Tomb gains its significance not from its beauty, but from the profound events that occurred there.
The Garden Tomb belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 53, which states that the Messiah would be buried in a rich man’s tomb. While a borrowed tomb may seem to reflect a step down in Jesus’ earthly wealth—similar to being born in a barn—the concept of “borrowing” carries underlying significance.
We often borrow items with the intention of returning them. This concept of borrowing suggests that the item is only temporarily in our possession. Jesus would not remain in the grave forever. Similarly, our time here on earth reminds us that we have a temporary existence as we await our eternal home in heaven, known also as the New Eden.
In the New Eden, all nations will fulfill the commission given to Adam and Eve: to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. The New Eden will be the final step in the full circle journey, where we will be with Jesus as He brings together all tribes and peoples to inhabit the renewed earth.
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.
No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.
And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1-5, NLT)
We live in a season between the Garden Tomb and the New Eden as described in Revelation. The Garden Tomb calls us to step away from the grief of the cross and celebrate the new life we have in Christ. We, because of Christ, can be restored from the brokenness of humanity seen in the Garden of Eden. We now live with the hope of Christ’s return, and the time when we live the final full circle of life everlasting with Him in the New Eden.
Holy Week Reflection
Meditate: Jesus conquered death, and I am more than a conqueror.
Reflect: Spend time in the Garden Tomb and imagine what it must have been like to realize that Jesus had risen from the dead. Ponder what that means for you and your current circumstances. How can you live more from a place of resurrection and the hope of our ultimate future with Jesus?
~~~~~
For further encouragement, listen to the PODCAST on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google, IHeartRadio, and Podbean, YouTube. Search God’s Word Gives Hope. LISTEN NOW or WATCH NOW
Accelerate Your Growth personally and professionally when you JOIN the THRIVE Coaching Community, a unique, affordable coaching experience with weekly resources, monthly coaching videos, and more. – Learn More and Subscribe here
JSC Life & Leadership Coaching – I believe God has created each of us to thrive. Coaching closes the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Contact me to schedule a consultation, and discover how coaching can get you moving forward. Contact Janae
Did you know you can follow God’s Word Gives Hope on Facebook and Instagram?
(Bible References: NLT – New Living Translation)
#GodsWordGivesHope
#Hope #Bible #christianity #GardenofEden #GardenTomb
#Jesus #beginnings #NewEden
#christianitytoday #Easter2025 #FullCircle
#JSCLifeandLeadershipCoaching
