SHANNON BREAM: Easter is living proof that God still overcomes the impossible for us
For faithful Christ followers, Holy Week is a roller coaster of emotions. Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to overwhelming acclaim, crowds shouting praises and exalting Him as he fulfilled prophecy by riding into town on a humble donkey. In just a matter of days, Jesus would be rejected and scorned, dragged to a sham trial, beaten, tortured and brutally killed in public. He was mocked, despised and abandoned by many in His inner circle. But that’s just the beginning of the real story…
We must never forget that Jesus knew every single detail about what would happen to Him, and yet He willingly chose to come to us. He took on our frailties – experiencing grief, temptation and death. He did not have to do any of those things, but because He did we have the greatest gift imaginable: the promise of eternal life with God.
Whatever you may be walking through this week, God is keenly aware and He promises never to leave His children. The Bible is full of men and women who experienced broken families, devastating diagnoses, financial ruin, war, famine – you name it! By revisiting their lives, we can see how God was weaving together long-term good in some of the darkest valleys. That’s the truth at the heart of Jesus’ earthly story too.
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I have written about many of these encouraging biblical heroes over the last several years, and my new book, "Nothing Is Impossible with God," specifically highlights those who faced enormous obstacles. Beginning with Gideon, we meet a frightened man whom God addresses as a "mighty warrior." The English translation of Gideon’s response is literally "pardon me."
I think many of us would react the same way if God showed up and told us we were going to charge into a battle against a powerful oppressor with none of the weapons or advantages our human minds would logically deem necessary! But isn’t that what He does with us over and over again on our spiritual journey – asks us to trust that He has a plan where we can see no way?
In my new book, "Nothing Is Impossible with God," I take a deep dive into people from the pages of the Bible who encountered stumbling blocks that would have stopped most of us in our tracks.
Sometimes it was outsiders openly scheming against them. If you’ve experienced that, you’ll love Nehemiah’s story. Rather than fold, he trusted God to handle the crafty, sarcastic frenemies trying to undermine him. He prayed, he prepared and he persevered. You can, too!
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Sometimes it’s our own self-doubt that throws us off track. Moses was overwhelmed by the assignment he was given, even arguing with the God of the Universe about how he wasn’t the guy for the job. I may be quick to judge with thousands of years of hindsight, but I’ve certainly done the same!
What about Jonah, who ran in the opposite direction of what God asked him to do? As we walk their journeys alongside them, we see Gideon, Moses and Jonah all grow in their faith and obedience. What was impossible by human standards was accomplished through God’s power and guidance.
In the pages of Scripture, we also meet men and women who were faithful from the start. Noah was asked to build a structure that made zero sense, a gigantic boat with no system to control it, in order to survive a coming flood – and yet rain had never fallen on the earth’s surface. He simply got to work.
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Joshua stood against the groupthink that told the Israelites there was no way they could face an enemy the Lord had guaranteed they would overcome. We watch Daniel’s courage and godly commitment for decades, never wavering in a culture that made his faith a criminal offense – punishable by death!
I think it’s fair to say that Peter represents a combination of these various challenges. He was fiery, passionate and willing to defend Christ with all he had. He was part of Jesus’ inner circle, impulsive and opinionated, and sometimes reprimanded by the Man he admired most. So, when Jesus told Peter he would betray him, his beloved friend and disciple fired back with typical gusto:
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"But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’" (Matthew 26:35)
Just hours later, Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled. Peter denied ever knowing his friend and esteemed rabbi, even shouting and cursing with anger. When the realization of his devastating failure landed on his heart, we’re told he "went outside and wept bitterly." Again, this is far from the end of the story.
Days later, Jesus rose from the grave – overcoming sin and death for good. Rather than approaching his broken friend with judgment and contempt, He approached Peter with grace and care. Peter had returned to where Christ found him, fishing for a living. I’m sure he felt unworthy of the calling to be something more. But Jesus wouldn’t leave him there. He knew Peter’s tender, broken heart. He lovingly restored Peter, telling him to finally leave the fishing gig behind for good and focus on what he was created and gifted to do: fish for men.
This – and every Easter – there is so much evidence of how God overcomes the impossible in our lives. He can work through our fears and failures, our rebellion and our rabbit trails.
He’s overcome what we cannot – sin and death – and every Easter is a celebration of that glorious gift. We can’t earn it; we must humble ourselves to first recognize that we need it – and then accept it.
That can be hard for us to understand and embrace as human beings who can only begin to fathom that level of mercy and generosity.
I pray this Easter you’ll accept the Gift.