This post is written by David McLemore as a companion for Unit 26, Session 3 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 9: From Death to Resurrection (Fall 2023).

Perhaps nothing is more astounding in this broken and sinful world than the truth that for the Christian, our tomorrow is better than our today. Our future beyond death is better than the best day of our lives thus far.

As Jesus neared the end of His life, He knew what was coming. The cross loomed out ahead. He gathered in the upper room with His disciples for a final meal. Then they went together to the Mount of Olives and entered a private garden for a time of prayer. As they arrived, Jesus told His disciples, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered” (Matthew 26:31). Quoting from Zechariah 13:7, Jesus knew His disciples would flee. They couldn’t believe it, but it would happen.

How disheartening must that have been to hear? We can see the disciples’ dismay in Peter’s words in Matthew 26:33: “Peter told him, ‘Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.” Then in verse 35: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” All the disciples said the same thing. But they were wrong. Not long after, they would all run off into the night as Jesus was lead toward the cross. The prophecy came true. The sheep scattered.

However, there is another verse squished in the middle of this back-and-forth that serves as a shot of hope in an otherwise drab affair. After Jesus pronounced the prophecy in verse 31, He followed it in verse 32 with this: “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

Jesus was looking beyond the crucifixion. He was looking beyond the desertion of His friends. He was past their sin, not because it didn’t matter but because He was going to atone for it. He was going to secure their forgiveness. He was going to give them His righteousness as He took upon Himself their wretchedness. Jesus was looking to the resurrection.

After He had risen, He would go ahead of them to Galilee. There, they would meet again. The end of His life wasn’t the end of His life. The scattering of the sheep was not the final sentence. The shepherd would come and draw them back to Himself. This time, in a risen, glorified body, Jesus would restore them and commission them to take His gospel to the ends of the earth.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14: “If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.” The resurrection makes all the difference in the world. If Jesus has been raised, our bad days are only a blip on the radar. If Jesus has been raised, our future is brighter than our present. If Jesus has been raised, He can go before us and prepare the way. If Jesus has been raised, our proclamation has power, and our faith has a sure foundation.

Jesus has been raised, and He has gone before us to Galilee. He will meet us there. Whatever your today is like, even if it is filled with sin and shame, the risen Christ is before you with forgiveness in His arms, healing in His wings, restoration in His heart, and redemption in His dealings with you. Our sins may be many, but His mercy is more.

David McLemore serves as an elder at Refuge Church in Franklin, Tennessee. He is a regular contributor to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s For the Church website and a staff writer at Gospel-Centered Discipleship.