Andrei Mironov, Peace be upon you! The Appearance of Christ to the Apostles; image from Wikimedia Commons.
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Loss is always difficult, and never more so than when it comes to the death of someone we hold dear in our hearts. If only we could see the person one more time and give him or her a big hug while speaking the tender words of love in our hearts that can no longer be expressed. If that were possible, we would probably never want to let go out of fear that our precious family member, friend, or lover would leave us once more.
Jesus came to take away our regrets.
The disciples likely felt this way after Jesus' crucifixion and death. Many "if only"s must have run through their minds and hearts: Did Jesus really know how much they loved him, how much they regretted their unfaithfulness to him, and how much they wanted him back in their lives?
Thankfully, the disciples didn't have to wonder such things for long because Jesus was raised from the grave on the third day and appeared to them shortly thereafter in the room where they been huddling in fear and unspeakable grief:
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!" (Luke 24:26)
Jesus' appearance gave the disciples hope not only in that moment but also for eternity! Jesus' resurrection brought an end to the disciples' grief and regrets, and that same resurrection brings an end to our despair even today.
We can bring all our regrets to Jesus right now.
Are you a believer who regrets things in your past that you should have done, as well as things you did that you shouldn’t have done? Take courage, for Christ Jesus did everything he was supposed to do and he didn't do anything he wasn't supposed to do, so that your grief and regrets would come to an end. He always obeyed God in all things, and Jesus’ perfect obedience is counted to you through faith in him alone by God's grace alone.
Jesus also paid for every single one of every believer’s sins with his perfect once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. Through faith in Jesus Christ, your debts are paid in full and you are free in him. You are declared righteous in God's sight, you have already been given new life in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, and one day you will also have a resurrected physical body like Jesus has—and that body will never be able to sin:
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Cor. 15:20-23)
Only in Christ will we find peace, both now and forever.
You don't need to live a life of regrets. Instead take all your sin and failures to the cross of Jesus Christ and trust in him alone for your salvation. Leave all your regrets in the arms of your loving Savior, and rest is his freely given and complete forgiveness. Just as the apostles did, rejoice in your sure resurrection hope in Jesus, who is now seated in heaven at the right hand of the Father.
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and always strive to obey him in thanksgiving for all he has done on your behalf, for he loves you with an everlasting love. Take heart that your Lord will come again to bring you and all his saints into eternal glory with him. "Peace to you!"
This article is adapted from “Resurrection Hope: Leaving Your Regrets at the Cross” from BCL’s March 2021 monthly newsletter.
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