It is coming – your turn, your life. The Easter message means something for you today. And the Easter message means something for you in the future. Life is coming. Your turn is coming. Yes, we may be waiting right now. We may get confused as we wait. We look around our home and community, and things don’t look like Easter. We dont see the joy, glory, or even much life. Instead, we feel that anxiety, unrest, and letdown today and see it in days to come. But hear this good news: you notice and feel those things now simply because it is not yet your turn. Your turn is coming.  Note Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians: “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him” (1 Cor. 15:21-23, ESV).

Today we can rejoice that Jesus Christ has taken his turn. He has been made alive and we know that our turn will come as well. You belong to Christ. And if He has taken His turn, that means that one day, you will take your turn as well. All of us who have been connected to Jesus Christ through faith will take our turn when Jesus returns to this earth. At that time, Christians who have died will awake and be raised from the dead. And they will join us in following Christ’s lead. We will take our turn.

Sometimes its difficult to wait for your turn. A couple of Thanksgivings ago, my family and I spent time at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort. One afternoon, my mom and sister went looking through some of the shops while my dad and I sought out a certain ride in another part of the park. We made our way to the ride only to see a big line waiting for us! Dozens and dozens of people wound back and forth, hoping to get a chance to ride in a rocket. Initially, we were disturbed by how long the line was. But it was a beautiful day, so my dad and I decided to get in line and wait for our turn. We waited…and we waited, and waited, and waited. When we first got in line, we talked about a number of things, but after some time, we did not have much else to talk about. Some people, out of frustration, left the line. Others began to complain about being hungry and wanting to get a snack, but we remained in line. Slowly, but surely, the line would inch forward. We saw people in front of us getting into the rocket and then leaving the ride, so we knew we were in the right line. Eventually, our turn came and we got to ride in the rocket, but the wait was long and difficult.

Our wait in this life is way more difficult, but God sends His Spirit to you, reminding you that Jesus has gone before you. He has been raised from the dead. His body has been renewed. We know that our bodies will be renewed one day as well. But yet, here we are, still waiting for our turn. We have our letdowns. We may begin to wonder if our turn will ever come. We may be tempted to leave the line, leave the faith and search for some other help. We may forget what we are waiting for, but, God reminds us what we are waiting for. He tells us what our turn will look like. Through His Word, God gives us a glimpse of our future. Through Jesus, you will be made alive. When He comes again, you will be made new. At that time, there will be no more waiting. There will be no more letdowns.  There will be no more moments and messages of death. There will be no more death. On that day, that great resurrection day, your resurrection day, there will only be life, life for you.  Your turn will come.