At Easter, Remember Jesus lives on in all of us
The Universe
(April 11, 2004)
Easter Sunday is the day we Christians can find hope and happiness in the impact that Jesus has had, and is still having, 2000 years after he was supposed to have been killed off and forgotten.
When he was executed as an upstart religious revolutionary, vested interests had to get rid of him. He knew that the only way to avert a terrible catastrophe was to bring about the Kingdom, and knew that he had to suffer and die first. That total self-giving is the one selfless reality that cannot be ignored, he thought humankind would respond and he was right.
His frightened disciples rose out of their depression and fear and were filled with his living presence. Then, powered by his spirit and mutual love, they overcame their fear of the authorities, punishment and death and were empowered to speak out and stand up for all Jesus died for.
By making him alive in their words and actions they extended his presence and love in the world. He came alive in them and lived on serving, healing, teaching, establishing the Kingdom of love and justice, truth and integrity.
That is what Easter is all about - being alive as Jesus was. We cant be true followers if we are not doing what he did, being with others as he was, caring and being compassionate, healing and helping.
There was no one to replace Jesus in the lives of his followers. No other leader could replace him, no successor would do because Jesus was alive and with them, filling their every thought, their feelings and the fibre of their being. Jesus was the one and only for them, the inspiration for their lives - he was their God.
Yes Easter is all about how Jesus made a startling comeback and lived on in the powerful and irrepressible faith of his disciples. He lives on today through us who believe with all our heart in him and what he stood for.
He continues to inspire millions all over the world to face incredible odds, confront injustice, reach out to the untouchables, love the unlovable, do the seemingly undoable. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have given lives for him and died to save others.
Wherever Jesus is made present and alive by acts of love and service their spirit is alive and present too. No matter how bleak and hopeless our lives might somehow be , (we all have the dark days of unhappiness and loneliness), we only have to turn and put our trust in Him and his friendship and we will come alive again. Resurrection is something we can all experience here and now.
