Things may look a little bleak right about now. As most of us are practicing social distancing and sheltering in place, we may all be experiencing a little bit of cabin fever. And the weather isn’t helping. In Dallas, it’s dreary, cold and rainy. But we are not without hope! This week especially, we are reminded of the hope that lives within us because of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. The day where Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people in the village spread their cloaks and palm branches on the ground shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) What an entrance for the king of the earth! What a thrill and joy that day must have been.

But as the week progressed, it got very dark. The same people who on Sunday were shouting hosanna were shouting, “Crucify him” on Friday. Jesus’ disciples and other followers must have felt so dejected as they watched their Savior mocked, beaten and crucified on the cross. Things were surely looking bleak for them right about then, too.

How many times do we only see the darkness that surrounds us and let it crush our spirits? But Friday is not the end of the story because on Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead, removed the stone from the grave and met with his followers before ascending into heaven. Talk about joy and hope restored!

It’s easy to look at what is going on in the country and the world and feel dejected, depressed and worried. But don’t forget to hang on to hope! On this Holy Week, spend time meditating on the hope you have in Jesus and remembering the sacrifices he made for us so we could live again. No matter how bleak our world may get, there is always hope in Jesus Christ. Hope is here!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” – I Peter 1:3-4