“But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” (John 16: 22). This promise of Jesus in His farewell discourse before His Passion and death is a remarkable moment of hope for the apostles and indeed for all of us. Yes, Jesus will suffer horrifying crucifixion and an early death. Yes, His friends will be shattered by their overwhelming loss and grief. But against all human expectation, the Lord rises from the grave to live forever, conquering the seemingly intractable power of sin and death for all people of all time. This epic victory of the Son over the power of the Evil One is the source and center of our Easter faith.
