When we Need Hope, We can Trust Jesus

Over the past two months, we've been walking through the Apostles’ Creed — a historic and foundational summary of Christian belief. One of the earliest expressions of faith outside of Scripture, the Creed dates all the way back to around 150 A.D. and outlines what we as followers of Jesus hold to be true.
This past Sunday happened to be our VBS Celebration Sunday. At first, I considered pausing our Creed series for it — but God, in His perfect timing, wove the two together beautifully. As it turned out, the next line in the Creed was “On the third day, He rose again from the dead.”

The resurrection.
What better truth to celebrate with our kids and families than the very heartbeat of Christianity?

The Centerpiece of Our Faith
Jesus rising from the dead on the third day isn't just an interesting historical claim. It is the central truth of the Christian faith. Without it, everything falls apart. Paul says in 1 Corinthians that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile. If the resurrection is false, then Jesus was simply a man who died a brutal death. But if it’s true — then He is nothing less than God Himself. Who else could conquer death?

The resurrection changes everything.
That’s why our theme for Thursday at VBS was “When we need hope, we can trust Jesus"” I had the privilege of teaching the kids that day, and we explored the death and resurrection of Jesus — yes, heavy topics for children, but ones full of meaning, even for young hearts. We read Matthew 28:1–8 and were reminded of the joy and power found in the empty tomb.

Witnesses to a Miracle
That morning, two women — Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” — went to the tomb to honor Jesus, carrying spices as was custom. But instead of finding His body, they witnessed an earthquake, saw an angel like lightning sitting on the stone, and heard the words that would change history:

“He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.” – Matthew 28:6

Culturally, this moment is astounding. In the first century, women weren’t considered credible witnesses. If someone were trying to fabricate a believable story, they wouldn’t have chosen women to be the first eyewitnesses of the risen Jesus. And yet, that’s exactly what the Gospels record. Why? Because it’s true.
The angel told them to go and share the good news with the disciples. Despite fear and confusion, they obeyed — and were the first to proclaim the resurrection.

A Living Hope
I encouraged the kids to imagine what those women must’ve felt: grief turning to shock, then joy and hope. The one they believed to be the Messiah — dead and buried — was now alive. Everything they thought they’d lost was restored.
To help them connect with this, we used a simple but powerful illustration: a bowl of ice. I asked a volunteer to place their hands in it and keep them there as long as possible. The pain and numbness that followed? It’s a picture of hopelessness — of hearts that have gone cold.

But Jesus brings warmth. He brings healing. He brings hope.
The cross wasn’t an accident. Jesus’ suffering was part of the perfect plan of God. As Isaiah says, He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our sins. He endured pain, shame, and even death — in our place — to reconcile us to God.
And then… the tomb was empty.

Jesus Paid It All
To help us visualize the Gospel more clearly, we watched a short video. In it, a woman carefully price-checks basic necessities at a store, obviously unable to afford them. Another customer notices and offers to pay. She resists — “I have coupons!” — but he gently replies, “You can put those away. It’s all completely covered.”

This is the Gospel.
Each of us stands at the register of life, unable to cover our spiritual debt. We’ve all sinned. We all fall short. No amount of good deeds, effort, or “spiritual coupons” will ever be enough. But Jesus steps in and says, “I’ll pay for it. All of it.”
That’s what He did on the cross.

What Do We Do With This?
If Jesus truly rose from the dead — and we believe He did — then everything He said is true. He is who He said He is. He is God, Savior, Redeemer, and King.
So what does He ask of us?
To believe.
To repent.
To receive His gift of grace.
To follow Him.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

God is not looking for perfection — He’s looking for surrender. He wants your heart. He wants to forgive. He wants to make you new.
One Last Question

Do you need to ask God for forgiveness today?
Maybe you're carrying secret guilt. Maybe your heart has grown cold. Maybe you’re tired of trying to be “enough.” The good news is — you don’t have to be. Jesus is enough for you.
He’s already paid it all.

So will you come to Him today?
Will you receive the hope that only the risen Jesus can offer?
Jesus gives hope — to the hopeless, to the weary, to the broken. And the tomb is still empty. Let that truth change your life, just like it changed the world.