Empty Promises 

👤 Geoff

There is a story about a young man from a wealthy family who was taking his A-Levels. Many of his friends were well-off and parents had got into the habit of giving their children a car on finishing school. Jake had spent months looking for the car of his dreams and the week before his results were due he found the perfect vehicle. On results day Jake had done well but, instead of leading him outside to a waiting car as he expected, his father handed him a gift wrapped Bible. Jake was so angry that he threw the Bible down and stormed out of the house. 

It's not easy when we feel let down by empty promises. The disappointment can leave us wary of trusting anyone, sometimes even those closest to us. It is incredibly sad when relationships break down because people do not deliver on their promises. And, unfortunately, Jake and his father never saw each other again.

As we approach the time of year when we especially mark and celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, God invites us to accept three 'empty promises' of Easter that most assuredly are worth trusting. Three promises that are powerful and effective precisely because they are ‘empty’. They are the promise of the empty cross, the promise of the empty tomb and the promise of the empty burial clothes.

Each of these three ‘empty’ promises are rich and wonderful and good news to those who will receive them. Because the cross was empty our sins are forgiven. Because the tomb was empty we do not have to fear death. Because the burial clothes were empty, our relationship with our Father God can be restored through knowing Jesus - who is alive - as our Saviour and Lord.

These are three promises that God makes to you and me and to everyone. And, of course, they are in reality anything but empty. The promises of Easter – guaranteed by Jesus Christ risen and glorious – are the promise of forgiven sins, the promise of eternal life, and the promise of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Promises full of freedom, hope, peace and abundant life.

Jake felt so let down by an empty promise that he led a life estranged from his father. In fact it was only the news of his father’s death that eventually brought him back home. As he sat one night going through his father’s possessions, he came across the Bible his father had given him that fateful day and, in his anger and disappointment, he had thrown back in his father’s face. Now, he brushed away the dust and opened it . . . to find a cheque, dated the day of his results, for the exact amount of the car he had chosen.

The great tragedy is that so many these days are like Jake, turning their back on their Father God, casting aside his word and missing out on the amazing promises that God makes to each of us through his Son. So let me ask those of you reading this, how do you respond to the wonderful and gracious offer of forgiveness, relationship with God through Jesus, and eternal life? Will you take God at his word? Will you accept the 'empty' promises of Easter, and receive Jesus as your Saviour and Lord? 

God’s promises are always trustworthy. One more promise of God, found in Romans 10:13, says this: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Are you trusting Jesus with your life? Have you experienced his forgiveness and eternal life? Do you know him?

This Easter, accept the 'empty' promises God has made to you – he will always keep his promises and never let you down.