In yesterday’s devotion, we reflected on the death of Jesus on the cross. Was His death the end of it all? Game over na nga ba? Let’s find out.

Kinabukasan, pagkatapos ng Araw ng Paghahanda, sama-samang nagpunta kay Pilato ang mga punong pari at ang mga Pariseo. Sinabi nila, “Naalala po namin na sinabi ng mapagpanggap na iyon noong siya’y nabubuhay pa, na siya’y muling mabubuhay pagkaraan ng tatlong araw. Kaya pabantayan po sana ninyong mabuti ang libingan hanggang sa ikatlong araw … .” Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato, “Kumuha kayo ng mga kawal at pabantayan ninyong mabuti ang libingan.”

Mateo 27:62-65

Life is like a video game. It’s easy at first but then it gets really challenging when we grow older. Then, there are trials and sufferings that make us ask, “Game over na nga ba?”

When Jesus was buried, parang game over na. And did He take to the grave all the lessons He taught and the mission He started? He seemed to have lost and what won was all the suffering and death that He experienced.. It all happened and His death is not fake news. The priests, the pharisees, and Pilate made sure of it. If we have nothing else but the text from Matthew 27:62-65 to tell us what happened, then the enemies have won. The devil is in control. Wala nang pag-asa.  

Ganito minsan sa buhay, ’di ba? When our fears have already happened and when we have no more chance to change it, we feel hopeless. Even our eyes have no more tears to cry. There isn’t any struggle left. Parang game over na talaga. When the worst problems and pains come, we ask, “Have we come to the end of the road?”  

Of course not! Look at Jesus. He did nothing wrong yet He was fiercely opposed by people. He was scorned and shamed, and was even abandoned by His closest friends. He died an agonizing death that seemed to end everything He started.  Pero ang totoo, pinagtagumpayan Niya ang lahat ng ito! 

Hebrews 2:14b-15 (NLT) says, “…only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” See? Even His death that looked like defeat was actually a way for Jesus to win. He now shares this victory with all the people who believe in Him.  

Friend, even the worst problem or pain in life can be overcome when we believe in Jesus!

Join us again tomorrow, Resurrection Sunday for the last part of our series this Holy Week. Don’t miss it!