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b'Why did Jesus have to die? That\\u2019s a big question for us today, and I bet it was an even bigger question for Jesus\\u2019 disciples when He started talking about His upcoming death and resurrection. They were Jesus\\u2019 closest friends, and they didn\\u2019t understand what He was saying.\\nPeter really didn\\u2019t like to hear Jesus talking about His own death, so he pulled Jesus aside and rebuked Him. But Jesus wouldn\\u2019t have it, and He rebuked Peter instead. Peter didn\\u2019t yet understand how Jesus was going to establish God\\u2019s kingdom.\\nWhen Jesus died by public execution, His disciples panicked. Some said they never knew Him. Others sank into despair. Jesus had prepared them, so why couldn\\u2019t they understand? They believed Jesus was the promised Messiah, but their perspectives were limited. They couldn\\u2019t comprehend God\\u2019s plan to defeat death.\\nIt\\u2019s easy to be hard on the disciples, but we are often like them, lacking perspective and understanding. We look at what\\u2019s happening in our lives and our world, and we panic. We struggle to see how God is working. We sink into worry and despair.\\nBut Jesus is here. He loves us. And He conquered the grave, raising from the dead after three days, just like He had promised! When Jesus showed Himself to His disciples (execution wounds and all), they were overjoyed! After Jesus ascended,\\nHe sent His Holy Spirit to be in them, just like He had promised, and then they truly understood the good news: how Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, died and rose again to give us new live. As His forgiven followers, they began urging people everywhere to put their trust in Jesus.\\nWe might not understand God\\u2019s ways or see how He\\u2019s working in the midst of all the brokenness we experience. But we can trust Him. He is the victor over sin and death and keeper of His promises. God prepared for ages and generations to save humanity through Jesus\\u2019 death and resurrection, and even now He is working in all things \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d (Romans 8:28). Our God defeated death. What do we have to fear? \\u2022 Becca Wierwille\\n\\u2022 How might it be freeing to know that Jesus doesn\\u2019t expect us to understand without His help? \\n\\u2022 In Christ, death does not have the final word. Jesus will return to resurrect His people to live eternally with Him. How does this promise give you hope today? \\nWhere, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? 1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nPsalm 102:17; Romans 8:26-32'