|PIC1|Happy Easter!

Just as spring comes around and nature comes to life to again, so the Church remembers and rejoices that Jesus of Nazareth came alive again on Easter Morning. The man cared for everyone and wanted everyone to care for each other too and know God. The man offended the religious and political establishment of the day with his outspoken challenges of their values. The man described as the “friend of sinners” and the “saviour of the world,” who is actually God.

We did our worst to him but he still comes back. They tried to silence him but his word is still powerful. They crucified his body, but his spirit is alive and well, and working in the world.

Why do I believe this?

Well, firstly, because the “Bible tells me so.” But what I like about the record of the scripture is that the inconsistencies have not been smoothed over. If it were a hoax they would have corroborated their story and not mentioned that some of the disciples doubted. And then because the church, other people tell me so.

People, whose lifestyles I admire, people in who I see an echo of Jesus, something of his grace, courage, humility, power or wisdom. And it seems to radiate from within them, as though Christ lives in them.

And lastly because my own heart tells me so and my own limited and flawed experience of the Christian life means that I sometime sense Christ with me, within me, beside me, behind me and before me. And his presence transforms me and transforms things around me, always for the better.

And what does it mean?

It means I want to get to know God better and let Jesus influence more of my decision making and my priorities and let his spirit shape me. It means I want to worship the living God.

It means that this is not the only world, there is one beyond this, where there is “no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying.” Death is not the end. And that God can use even the worst things we have done, or the worst things that have happened to us, and to transform them to something good, even beautiful.

And it means I want to live my life as close to the example of Jesus as I can, with God helping me.

So that I will have less fear and guilt, and more love. So that I will have less suspicion or doubt, and more trust and more hope.

I want to play my part in ensuring more people come to know God, can enjoy life, can live at peace in a world where no-one misses out, no-one is excluded, and everyone’s gifts are used to serve others, we create a new kind of community “where God’s will is done on Earth, as it is in Heaven.”

I wish you a real and happy Easter.