Every year, I just love the springtime. Many of the plants and flowers in my yard that were dormant over the winter are now in full bloom. Everything is new and fresh.

It also reminds me of what the garden tomb must have looked like on that first Easter morning, when several women went there to ask the Roman guards, who were guarding the tomb, if they could put spices on Jesus’ body. However, when they arrived, there were no guards and no Jesus. Only an angel sitting on a rock saying that Jesus is not here, he has risen from the dead, just as he said he would. He’s alive and he’s on his way to Galilee!

The women finally caught up to Jesus, embraced him and hung out with him. Then, Jesus went to see the disciples, and everyone was amazed. Over the next few weeks, he visited many people. The greatest event of all mankind, in all history, had happened: The long-awaited Messiah had been resurrected from the dead so everyone who believes in him can have hope.

The last time I went to Jerusalem I had a chance to visit that same garden tomb. It still is a very beautiful place that’s well-preserved. Upon entering the tomb, you can see where the rock was cut to fit Jesus’ body. Then it dawned on me that I was looking into the same empty tomb those women did, except I’m sure at that moment they were experiencing a very different feeling than I was. They were thinking someone had stolen the body, whereas my feelings were of joy because I knew Jesus had risen from the dead.

When I looked into the tomb, what I saw was hope, because the same power Jesus used to rise from the dead is the same power that has transformed my life presently and has given me life eternally.

God loves the entire world. He desires that none perish in their disbelief, but that every man, woman and child would believe in his only son. Jesus came to give us hope. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

God’s Easter message is one of hope. Jesus has risen; why put your faith in the world’s solutions, which will only let you down You were created for a purpose and to experience joy, which can only happen through an intimate relationship with Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus reveals the very core of God’s passionate love for you. The resurrection validates everything Jesus did and said. He may be speaking to your heart right now as you’re reading this column.

Why not make Easter something really special this year Believe and invite him into your heart. Just be very honest why you need him to save you, and he will. He wants to give you lasting hope.