Rise Again By Karen Georgia A. Thompson
Resurrection Hope
Christians around the world celebrated the high holy
days culminating the 40 days of Lent, with thanksgiving and joy for the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. The journey across Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday focuses on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his observance of Passover, his death at the hand of the Roman rulers and religious leaders, and his resurrection. The mystery and miracle of Jesus being raised from the dead contains the wisdom of the ages pointing to the power of God present and at work among us, if we choose to believe in the greatness of the Divine. The resurrection of Jesus is framed in the presence and power of God revealed through Jesus and his ministry. The resurrection is the salvific work of God, providing new life for the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18).
“Jesus brought ministry to the poor and the marginalised. He stood up against the religious institutions of his day and named for all he encountered that the religious elite were a part of the problem (Matthew 23:1-39).”
While Christians celebrate Easter annually, the resurrection is more than a moment in time to be celebrated. Easter holds deep meaning and possibility for our lives because it points to new life. The resurrection of Jesus points to new possibilities, new hope and the power of the Holy Spirit manifesting newness of life and spirit among us. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:25-26). Possibilities abound in the promise of Easter joy. These are individual and collective possibilities for the church, for the world, for all. Easter with its symbols of eggs and bunnies is also connected with ancient festivals that pre-date Christianity. These festivals were connected with the celebration of the equinoxes and spring in the northern hemisphere. The spring equinox was a sign that the cold and darkness of winter were drawing to a close, a sign that the light and warmth of summer was overcoming the darkness and cold of winter. These festivals were also a sign of the people’s connection to nature and the rhythms of the earth. It was in 325 A.D at the first major church council, that the Council of Nicaea determined Easter would fall on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-15/the-origins-o f-easter-from-pagan-roots-to-chocolate-eggs/8440134) The connections between the resurrection, the celebration of new life in the world and the new life in Christ invite us to create space for this new life to emerge among us. The seasons of life are a sign along the way as are the cycles and rhythm of the earth. Where new life emerges, it means change is present - death has occurred, endings have been realised and something new is on the horizon. 38
INSiGHT | April 2021
