December 31: The Cross and the Empty Grave
How is it already the final day of our Christmas Series and the last day of 2024? This is wild! Today, as we wrap it all up, we want to talk about something that’s vitally important as we step into a new year: hope.
You see, we’ve spent a few weeks diving deep into the story of Jesus’s birth, the reason we celebrate Christmas. But, Jesus didn’t just come to the earth to be born. In fact, if that was the climax of His story, none of us would be living in the freedom we have. Without the true fulfillment of His purpose on this earth, none of us would have the opportunity to hope.
And that fulfillment and purpose lies in the cross.
“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
Baby Jesus came to our world, was born in our bodies, to die. Every step of His life led to that cross, the cup of suffering He had to bear for our victory. But, that’s not all He came to do! We can’t get it twisted. Death didn’t defeat Jesus. Jesus defeated death.
“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.’”
Matthew 28:5–6
Christmas isn’t really about a manger or an angel or some wise men (though those are beautiful and praise-worthy parts of the story God planned for His son). Christmas is about the hope of the cross and the empty grave!
Billy Graham said it like this…
For the believer there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.
So as we go into a new year with big goals and new mountains to climb, we have to go into it with the right kind of hope. We don’t place our hope in resolutions, people, jobs, majors, boyfriends, or ourselves. Our hope is in Jesus, thanks to His work on the cross and His victory found in the empty tomb.
This year might be hard. Or, it might be the best year of your life. But, either way, your hope doesn’t have to waver. Walk into the unknown armed with what you do know: Jesus already won the battle.
Our hope is in Him.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for your victory on the cross. Help me place my hope in you.
Further Study: Go back to Luke chapter 2 and re-read the Christmas story in its entirety.
Interact: What was your biggest takeaway from this Christmas Series?
