Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3–5
When Mary Magdalene came to Peter and John on Easter morning with the news that the grave was empty, they ran to the tomb to see for themselves. Peter entered the tomb and saw the grave wrappings and the napkin that had covered Jesus’ head lying neatly in place. At that moment, he did not yet fully understand what had happened, but he had visible evidence that something extraordinary had taken place. It was a moment Peter would never forget.
Years later, when the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write about the resurrection, it is not difficult to imagine his mind returning to that morning—the hurried run to the tomb, the shock of finding it empty, and then the unforgettable moment when Jesus appeared alive to the disciples as they gathered in fear and wonder. That encounter with the risen Christ changed Peter forever. From that day forward, his life was marked by a living hope that could not be shaken.
Not long after, Jesus told Peter and the other disciples that they would be His witnesses “both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The resurrection was not merely a truth to be believed—it was a hope to be proclaimed.
As we celebrate Easter, we should remember that the hope of the resurrection is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It is a living hope, given to us by grace, and God’s plan is for that hope to be shared with a world still searching for life beyond the grave.
