Jesus Comes: An Easter Message
- Norm Rentschler
- Apr 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 20
Иисус воскрес! Воистину Он воскрес!
I fondly remember the Easter greeting of the day in Russia—with deep conviction and joy: Иисус воскрес! “Jesus is Risen!” To which you would reply with equal conviction and passion: Воистину Он воскрес! “It is True, He is Risen!”
This is more than a greeting. It is a declaration of faith, a proclamation of hope, and a reminder that Jesus Christ lives. And because He lives, everything changes.
We Talk of Christ
The prophet Nephi said,
“We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ… that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” (2 Nephi 25:26)
But we could say even more: We worship Christ, we sing of Christ, we think of Christ, we remember Christ, and we follow Christ.
We walk with Christ, we serve with Christ, and we are healed by Christ. Because of Jesus Christ, we have a source for peace, for strength in our trials, for light in darkness, for hope that endures, for healing from heartache, and for love that never fails.
The Redeemer Liveth
Alma taught that of all the important things we can know, this is central:
“There is one thing which is of more importance than they all… the Redeemer liveth and cometh among His people.” (Alma 7:7)
Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances. He lived in perfect obedience and suffered every pain and affliction imaginable—for us. He bore our griefs.
He took upon Himself death, our sins, our infirmities, and our heartbreaks so that He could perfectly understand how to succor us (Alma 7:11–13). Because of Him, we are not alone.
Jesus Comes—Just as We Need Him
One of the most beautiful truths about Jesus is this: Jesus Comes. He comes to us, just as we are, where we are, and exactly when and how we need Him the most.
Jesus comes to us in our sorrow and sadness. To Mary, Jesus appeared and asked: “Why weepest thou?” (John 20:15)
Jesus comes to us in our fears. To the disciples who fearfully gathered, Jesus promised: “Peace be unto you.” (John 20:19)
As He did with Thomas, Jesus comes to us during our doubts and walks with us as we work through those doubts. (John 20:29)
As He did with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus walks with us, even if we don’t recognize Him in the moment. (Luke 24:13–32)
Sunday Will Come
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (October 2006) once spoke of the darkness of that Friday—the day Jesus died.
“I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. On that terrible Friday, the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms lashed at the earth. Those evil men who sought His life rejoiced. Now that Jesus was no more, surely those who followed Him would disperse.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were both overcome with grief and despair. The superb man they had loved and honored hung lifeless upon the cross. On that Friday, the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior, the man who had walked on water and raised the dead, was himself at the mercy of wicked men. They watched helplessly as He was overcome by His enemies.
On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled. It was a Friday filled with devastating sorrow that gnawed the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.
I think that of all days since the beginning of this world's history, that Friday was the darkest.”
“But the doom of that day did not endure. The despair did not linger, because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bands of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.
And in an instant, the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried, the lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ the Son of the Living God, stood before them as the first fruits of the Resurrection, proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wonderful existence.”
“Each of us will have our own Fridays, those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We'll all have our Fridays.
But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death, Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come."
“Sunday will come.”
And it did. Jesus rose, triumphant. He broke the bands of death. He appeared in glory. And in that moment, sorrow turned to joy, despair to hope.
Jesus, the Son of the Living God, stood again—alive.
Jesus Comes in Our Darkest of Dark Days
When we ask, “What did Jesus do after He died?” we often think of His visit to the Spirit World. But that’s only part of the story.
On the American continent, following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, there was massive destruction, chaos, and utter darkness, all at the same time and for hours and days as the people felt helpless and lost.
In the midst of darkness, in the destruction, in their hopelessness, in their mourning...Jesus was with them. In the darkness, the voice of Jesus called out:
“Return unto me… that I may heal you… Mine arm of mercy is extended toward you.” (3 Nephi 9:13–14)
“Whosoever will come, him will I receive, and blessed are those who come unto me. Behold, I am Jesus Christ.” (3 Nephi 9:13-15). Jesus came.
Jesus Knows and Sees Us
Jesus doesn’t wait for us to be whole before He comes.He walks on stormy seas to reach us. He goes out of way to meet us where we are. He seeks the one. We are the one: lost, separated from the 99, for whatever reason. We are the lame, blind, halt, maimed, leprous, and deaf...and we are those who are afflicted with whatever affliction, it doesn't matter.
He sees the real you. He knows your pain. He hears your silent prayers. And still, His invitation is extended:
“Come unto Me… Return unto Me that I may heal you… I will receive you… My arm is extended still.” (3 Nephi 9–11)
Jesus knows us, He sees us, He walks with us.
Jesus calls to us to come unto Him. We are the little children-each of us-the most important and essential to Him and Jesus wants to gather us around Him.
Jesus is in Relentless Pursuit of You
Jesus is in relentless pursuit of you—not to punish, but to heal. He wants a relationship. Not to condemn, but to gather you home (see Elder Patrick Kearon, April 2024).
He prays for you. He sends angels to minister to you (3 Nephi 17:24). He pulls you in close when you come hesitantly forward, and when you’re near enough, He embraces you, tight, full, and with healing. Jesus holds us, until we take a step back.
That is the Jesus we know. That is the Jesus we love. That is the Jesus I want you to know for yourself.
Let Him In
Maybe you're in the middle of your "Friday" right now. Maybe life feels shattered. Maybe you’ve strayed. Maybe the pain feels too heavy.
But Sunday will come. Because He lives, you can rise again. Because He lives, your heart can heal.
"Behold the wounds in Jesus’s hands… Come open wide your broken heart and let your Savior in."
He is waiting, with arms stretched out still - with a love that cannot and will not end…No Matter What!
📖 Scriptures to Reflect On:
2 Nephi 25:26
Mosiah 15-16
Alma 7
John 20:15–29
Luke 24:13–32
3 Nephi 9:13–21; 10:4–6; 11:3–15, 17
Hymn: Behold the Wounds in Jesus’s Hands
❤️ Your Invitation Today:
What part of your life do you need Jesus to walk into?He’s already coming. Will you open the door?
👇 Let me know in the comments: What does “Jesus Comes” mean to you personally? How does Jesus show up in your life?
Comments