Hope in the Midst of Pain: A Four-Day Devotional for Easter
As we approach Easter Sunday, it can be easy to overlook the full meaning of the events that lead up to and encompass the Resurrection of Jesus.
If you grew up in the church, the Easter story may have become so familiar to you that it’s easy to let its real weight slip by.
And if you didn’t grow up in the church or this is your first year observing Easter, you may be yearning for a fuller understanding of what this sacred holiday is truly about.
No matter where your heart is at as we approach one of the most important weekends on the Christian calendar, this day-by-day devotional is the perfect opportunity to slow down and dive deep into what each day leading up to Easter represents.
Our hope is that, as you take this time to truly soak in the weight of Jesus’s sacrifice and the miracle of his resurrection, your faith will be encouraged and strengthened. May the reality of all that he accomplished on the cross—and throughout each day of the Easter weekend—resonate deeply in your heart so that this Easter, you may experience his love in a transformative way.
Day One (Thursday): Surrender with Hope
“…Jesus began to be sorrowful and troubled. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'” — Matthew 26:37, 39
As he stepped into the garden at the Mount of Olives, Jesus knew what was coming. The betrayal. The accusations. The abandonment. The physical torture and death. Overwhelmed by emotion, he ran to his Father for comfort and help before his suffering began.
Jesus was just like you and me when we see pain on the horizon. We wonder, Isn’t there another way? Can’t God spare me from this? Is this terrible experience truly a part of God’s plan? We reach a crossroads of the soul—will we cave to our fears or surrender to the will of our Father?
We don’t know what you’re facing today. Perhaps the cure seems worse than the disease in your body. Or the struggle to release your grown-up child is breaking your heart. Maybe by taking that job offer, you have to say goodbye to all you hold dear. Or to break addiction, you have to separate from destructive people and places and walk alone. Perhaps you’re grieving unspeakable loss or the rewards you’ve earned have been torn from your hands. How is it possible to carry on?
We can know our way forward because of Jesus. Before the cross, he met with God. We can take every fear and question, hurt and heartache to our Father in prayer. When the future seems impossible, we can put our confidence in his wisdom and love. As we say yes to God’s “good, pleasing and perfect will,” he’ll give us all we need to make it through (Romans 12:2).
Today, let’s simply surrender to God’s plans for our tomorrows. Let’s trust that he’s with us and for us every moment. Let’s trust that no suffering will ever separate us from his love, and that on the other side of pain is glorious joy in him (Romans 8:39). God is good, and he will never fail.
Lord,
I’ll never survive without you. Help me to trust you’re working all things for good in the end. Give me eyes to see your light in the dark. Protect me, help me, and keep me full of faith so I can praise you through it all. May your love be the joy of my life.
Amen.
Day Two (Friday): Peaceful and Secure
“The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward… But Jesus remained silent.” — Matthew 26:59-60, 63
You know how it feels. You’ve been thrown under the bus for someone else’s mistakes. You gave all you had, only to be told it wasn’t enough. You got wind of ugly gossip that tore down your character and reputation. You were hated and rejected by the very person you would have loved to the end. Everything in you wants to plead your case and find the justice you deserve.
When Jesus stood before the religious leaders at that sham of a trial, he was surrounded by the very ones who should have worshiped at his feet. He was the promised one—the Messiah—that God’s people had been waiting for. He came speaking the truth of God’s love, only to be met by hateful lies and demands for his death at their hands. His accusers loved power instead of the God they claimed to serve.
Yet as the false accusations flooded his ears, Jesus remained quiet. He felt no compulsion to defend his name. He could not be baited into arguing or refuting the nonsense that was spoken. In the chaos of the moment, Jesus was at peace. Nothing could shake the assurance given by his Father long before: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
You and I can know that same peace when we’re insulted, slandered, and accused. We can find rest in God’s Word that tells us who we really are. No matter what others might say, we are children of God. Chosen. Forgiven and blameless. Spiritually gifted. Eternally secure in our salvation. Seen, heard, and cherished by our Father. Our names are written in God’s book of life, and the Holy Spirit is within us. We are members of God’s household and his Son calls us friends. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Take comfort today by knowing whose you are. Let God’s love heal your wounds. Find courage by knowing he stands by your side. When you’re tempted to fight for your rights and to prove your innocence, let God be your Champion. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)
Lord,
Words hurt. Accusations sting. Rejection leaves me wounded and alone. Help me to remember that in you, I am fully loved. Teach me how to rest in your strength as you fight my battles. Give me patience as I wait for you to help and heal. Fill my heart with peace.
Amen.
Day 3 (Saturday): Light in the Darkness
“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” — Luke 23:44-46
We crave light to keep us warm. To keep us from fumbling around and losing our way. To brighten the colors of the landscape and nourish what grows. To reveal the smiling faces of the ones we love. Light means energy and safety, meaning and life for us all.
When Jesus died on the cross, darkness fell. The “light of the world” was gone (John 8:12). The “light of life” had faded away (8:12). The One who spoke “let there be light” in the beginning of time had extinguished his light on the cross (Gen. 1:3).
Do you feel you’re in darkness today? Have you found yourself grieving and alone, wondering if the sun will ever rise again? Have you lost your battle with temptation too many times to count, with consequences that feel too painful to bear? Have you reached out for connection, only to be pushed away or forgotten? Do you feel aimless? Useless? Hopeless? Do you wonder if God loves you at all?
Be encouraged today by knowing that Jesus came into this world, died on a cross, and rose to life again for one purpose: to bring you out of darkness and into his glorious light (1 Peter 2:9). Your shame can give way to the freedom of forgiveness that washes you clean. Your loneliness will be a thing of the past as you’re knit into God’s family as his child. Your fears will melt into peace and confidence as you trust yourself to the God who cares for you every moment. A hopeless future will look bright as you discover God’s unique calling and the plans he’s written just for you to accomplish. Jesus is not just the light—he’s your light to lead your way home.
Lord,
I’m struggling to see your light in the darkness of my life. Help me to trust that your love is real. Kindle a faith that believes in Jesus with all that I am. Lead me out of my sin, my despair, and my confusion. May I live in your light forever.
Amen.
Day 4 (Sunday): Coming to Life
“[The women] found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ‘…Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!'” — Luke 24:2-5
It seemed too good to be true. After the horrors of a brutal crucifixion, their dear Jesus was alive and well. Tearful goodbyes became forgotten in the excitement of seeing him face to face once more. Death, which had filled Jesus’ friends and disciples with grief, became part of a life-changing story of redemption and heavenly power.
Maybe if we’re honest, our life feels like a funeral with no hope in sight. Our dreams have died. Sin is getting the last word in our habits, our attitudes, and our relationships. Old wounds still ache without healing. We feel too defeated and less-than to let ourselves trust we’re loved. We’re walking and breathing, but we feel dead inside.
Today is a gentle reminder that you’ll never find your life unless you find it in Jesus. No romantic relationship will fill you up. No self-help book or doctor’s office will renew your spirit or make you new. No career will secure your value, and no amount of money will buy joy that lasts. If you “look for the living among the dead” in this broken world, you’ll only find heartbreak, guilt, and disappointment.
Jesus rose to life so we could live with him forever. Let’s believe in him to forgive our sins. Let’s know him as the One who gives love and purpose, help and healing like no one else. Let’s discover he is everything he promised to be in his Word. In Christ, we “may have life, and have it to the full”! (John 10:10)
Lord,
There is no substitute in this world for you. Only you have given up your life so I could live. Only you will give unconditional love and forgiveness when I fail, and only you can change me from the inside out. Only your Spirit can fill me with joy despite my circumstances. Help me to trust you with all my heart. Show me what it means to follow your lead. Be the hope of my life forever!
Amen.
Easter is such a special time. It’s a chance for us to reexamine and appreciate the meaning behind all that Jesus did for us on Earth. Let us always remember that throughout the entire story of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, the theme of Scripture is God’s great love for us.
Jesus tore down every barrier to know your love. He overcame death. Fear. Despair. Hate. Division. Because of all that he did, we have life no one can take away.
This Easter, as we prepare to journey through the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ once again, we hope that these devotionals have ministered to your heart and mind so that you can cry out with your whole being: “He is risen indeed!”
