These 4 promises Jesus gave to hold onto were given when he appeared to his disciples. Easter is a miraculous day in our Christian faith. It is the day that Christ conquered sin and death and rose again.

These promises are something to not let go of, but to hold onto always.

Easter Promise Number 1: I Go to Prepare a Place for You

After the Last Supper, Jesus tells the disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you.” (Read more in John 14:1-3)

Robert’s father, Stuart passed away. He was 100! Stuart and his wife Mary attended our church every Sunday until their health began to fail.

Many times the choir would sing from the balcony to open the service. That was Stuart and Mary’s favorite spot.

Stuart nudged me one day and said, as he opened his hymnal wide, “We play a game to see who opens the closest to the hymn number listed in the bulletin.” Mary added, “Whoever gets the closest wins.”

A memorial service was held at the church. As is the tradition, the family members sit up front. The service began with the hymn 625 – How Great Thou Art.

As we stood to sing the hymn, Robert nudges me and says, “Look!” He had turned directly to hymn 625.

Stuart was with us. “I go to prepare a place for you.”

Easter Promise Number 2: I Will Send the Holy Spirit

Jesus does not abandon the disciples or us. He promises to send the Holy Spirit. There are many translations: Advocate, Comforter, Companion, Friend. (John 14:16-17, 16:7)

I like Friend because Jesus tells his disciples that he no longer calls them servants but friends. (John 15:15)

Since Jesus is no longer physically with us, he promises that he makes his home in our hearts.

We are not orphaned, abandoned, alone. We have a Friend with us and within us. A Friend who will help us to know what is true and give us guidance.

Easter Promise Number 3: I Give You My Peace

In John’s Gospel, Jesus shares very plainly to the disciples what is going to happen. For the first time they say, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly and not in any figure of speech.” (John 16:29)

He tells them, “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33)

When the disciples hid out of fear after his death, Jesus appeared to them and announced, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)

He said this again and once again when Jesus appeared with Thomas, who doubted, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:21, John 20:26)

In whatever situation we face, we can tap into this peace that, “surpasses all understanding.”

Easter Promise Number 4: I Want Your Joy to Be Complete

Jesus said, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

When we know we have a future place, that we are not alone but are loved and cared for, that we have peace in the midst of troubles, we can feel complete wholeness and joy.

Pastor Karen Blanchard says that we are Easter people. That means we live out these promises, not just at Easter, but always.

These are the 4 Easter promises that Jesus wants you to hold onto. Never let them go.

Turn to Peace Each Day

What word will God have for you today? If you enjoyed this post, you can receive short notes of encouragement each day through my book: God Notes – Daily Doses of Divine Encouragement. (Visit the link to read more, samples and reviews.)

Most people open the book at random to find what inspiration God has for them. Below is a sample from the word Peace. Turn to God Notes when you need a “daily dose” throughout the day. Makes a great gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, graduation, those going through an illness, or anyone that needs encouragement.

Are you a deacon, elder, or worship leader looking for a great, simple resource? God Notes can be used as an opening or closing prayer as well as inspiration to start a discussion.

Those outside of the United States, go to your Amazon country URL and search for God Notes – Daily Doses of Divine Encouragement by Jackie Trottmann.