Holy Week #8 of 8 Easter Sunday: Easter Expectations, March 31
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6 NIV)
The women who followed Jesus to His entombment on Friday returned Sunday morning with spices to embalm His body, expecting to find His dead, brutalized body. Seeing the tomb empty shocked them.
As they pondered, two angelic men in dazzling clothing appeared. “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?” [they asked.] “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:5-7 NASB).
The women ran to tell the other disciples. They thought the women were out of their minds. None of them remembered what Jesus had said. Evidently not one expected Jesus to rise from the dead.
After the last three days, who could blame them? On Palm Sunday, the disciples had entered Jerusalem alongside of Jesus with high hopes and great expectations. The Messiah had come to take control of Jerusalem and the world and to right every wrong. Now, a week later, after being betrayed, arrested, and crucified, Jesus was dead.
The disciples experienced a profound death, too. Their high hopes and expectations, faith, fellowship with Jesus, and courage—everything—died. They hid behind locked doors, afraid Jesus’ killers would kill them too. Maybe Jesus had told them He would rise. But now that seemed like wishful thinking.
To their surprise, Jesus appeared. He had risen from the dead! The disciples touched Him, watched Him eat, and listened to His voice. Jesus breathed His Holy Spirit upon them (see John 20:22). They experienced His resurrection life. He raised their expectations and their whole beings to life, from the ashes of defeat to the heights of heaven!
Those facing cancer experience death in countless ways. Hopes, dreams, faith, confidence, routines, joy, strength, and many good things may seem to die. Cancer can kill your job, the ability to do what you love, and take your life. Staying alive physically and spiritually is a constant battle.
Thankfully, Jesus is the Lord of life! We can experience life in even more ways. We can experience little resurrections daily. The risen Lord is with us. His Spirit constantly gives life. Jesus is making us and all things new. All the dead parts in us, including those killed by cancer, He can raise to life!
Because of Jesus, we can expect new prognoses, friendships, insights, and intimacy with God. We may discover a new sense of God’s purpose, a new ability to forgive, and ourselves having grown in some important way. New habits, hopes, and healing may arise. These little resurrections remind us of our big God who can do anything.
As we conclude this Holy Week, look for the little resurrections in your life. What new things is Jesus doing in your life? What dead part of you needs resurrection life? You can believe Jesus will not only meet but exceed your Easter expectations.
Pray: Lord Jesus, I praise You and stand in awe of Your victory over death. Thank You for enduring the cross for me. You reign over life, death, and evil. You will conquer cancer, too. Help me live unafraid of death and to always expect life! In Your name, I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Read Luke 24. Listen to “Resurrecting” by Elevation Worship.
Michael David Gira Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
David Gira
I assume you’re reading this devotional because you, or someone close to you, is on the cancer journey. David understood, supports, and encourages you to accept life’s changes on your journey with family, friends, and Christ!
David always listened to his Doctor but never hesitated to ask what are my options, and he moved forward accordingly. May your journey be rewarding in your fight with cancer, and also change others in their life journey, in most cases, without cancer. He changed people in life and will continue to listen and talk to you in his death. Read and talk with David in his devotional, or just talk to him as a friend. He sits right next to God, with both ears open and his heart full of LOVE!
David’s Aunt Sharon and Uncle George
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