by Jakobe Bussey

Finals, as utterly horrifying as they may be, are swiftly approaching. Indeed, for the Duke Student every glance at a calendar is a morose reminder that an academic onslaught of truly biblical proportions is thundering towards us, leaving no GPA unscathed. In dire times such as these, many students have been scouring relentlessly for even a morsel of escapism; some momentary reprieve from the barracks of academic warfare. Some have found this in partying, others in just hanging out with friends, I have found it in reading my bible and admiring the beauty of the Duke Gardens.

The magnificent oaks, awash with the green of spring, the harmonious rustle of the leaves as they cascade against one another in the wind, the soft flutter of cherry blossom petals that spin dizzyingly toward the ground; yes, there truly is something intriguing about admiring nature that can slow the heart and calm the spirit… but isn’t it also interesting to realize that mere months ago, these towering monoliths of beauty were practically dead.

But, due to the mystery of the seasons, they’ve become rejuvenated, one might even say resurrected. Indeed, just as Jesus was resurrected on the third day so too have these once withered husks regained their vibrant emerald appendages and have emerged reborn… albeit in a longer period of time.

As Easter Sunday has been swiftly approaching, my mind has naturally become enraptured with thoughts surrounding Jesus’ death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Jesus’ Resurrection is one of the very pinnacle moments of the New Testament; it not only ties together Jesus with old the testament prophecy presented by David:

Psalm 16:10 (NIV): 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

But it also is the only thing that could justify our faith in Jesus:

1 Corinthians 15:13–19 (ESV): But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

We as Christians can take comfort in the knowledge that our Lord has risen and still watches over us as we face our struggles throughout our lives. This internal peace that blossoms from faith in a living God wasn’t only felt today, the Apostles certainly felt it as well. Indeed, after Jesus’ arrest the disciples scattered, abandoning the Man they had been following for years due to fear and doubt. Yet, once they saw the risen Messiah, they were comforted in their fulfilled faith.

To conclude, I would implore my fellow Christians to, just like I have in the garden, take refuge in the Resurrection. Set your soul and mind at ease and remember who lives and cares for you. May His living water nourish the garden of your mind.

---

Visit dukecrux.org to read more content as we approach Easter. Read the newest issue of our journal, Life, here.