The Chaplain's Log
It was a great privilege to celebrate Easter together in our chapel on Wednesday. Our main focus was on rehearsing the full story of Jesus' life, death, and, as Christian's confess—resurrection.
Students read a number of excerpts from scripture which were further illustrated by short video clips. As the boys read they made clear that, at that time, the Jewish people were being oppressed by the Romans. Many Jews of the day hoped for a promised rescuer or 'messiah'.
Even so, Jesus made a number of enemies by crossing a whole heap of boundaries extending God's love to many on the margins of his community. He taught about loving enemies and about the importance of what happens on the inside.
It was the religious leaders at the time who eventually plotted to get rid of him. Making out he was a threat to Rome they tried to enlist the help of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.
Despite all his hints Jesus' immediate circle seemed unprepared for the murderous events of Holy Week. Perhaps he didn't resist in the way many expected.
Scripture seems to indicate that it isn’t until after Jesus is resurrected that the disciples start to understand the fuller significance of what happened.
First they have to get to grips with the fact that he has risen from the dead! Thomas (perhaps unfairly labelled henceforth as 'doubting') surely isn't the only one to have wondered how on earth this could be. Even so, faith testifies that the risen Christ helps his followers to understand that he actually was the promised rescuer.
Most importantly, he hadn’t come to save them from Rome, he had come to beat the enemies they hadn’t realised they needed saving from—enemies like death and brokenness.
That's why Easter is so much more than a reminder of one person's brave sacrifice. The Christian faith sees Easter as powerful and profound news in the face of a slavery that everyone and everything is caught in.
Easter proclaims that in Jesus' life, death and resurrection the power of death, darkness, evil, brokenness, or whatever you want to call it, is overcome. Jesus shows us that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God.
God bless you and all your loved ones these Easter holidays.
May the love of the cross,
the power of the resurrection,
and the presence of the living Christbe with you always.
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