An Easter Letter

In two weeks we will celebrate Easter. At this time of year in particular, we should embrace in our hearts the great love of God, who sent his Son, Jesus, into our world to live among us as a brother. He lived as light and love – teaching, calling, healing, casting out demons, challenging sin and pride, forgiving, giving new life, and even raising the dead. But because people loved darkness rather than light, Jesus was hated, persecuted, slandered, and tortured. He was willing to suffer unthinkable torment, forsakenness, pain, and death on the cross to free us from our sins and our coldness of heart. He took upon himself the sin of all humankind – from creation to today and into the future. He died, was buried, and was grieved by those who loved him, whom he had healed and set free. Yet this death was not eternal – he even freed captive souls in hell.

On the third day, God raised him from the dead, and many saw him, walking, eating, teaching, and strengthening faith in God’s kingdom before he ascended to heaven. He promised that he would return and that meanwhile he would send a helper, the Holy Spirit, to give all who believe in him and want to live in his truth and love the power to do everything he had commanded and taught. The Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to the power of resurrection which destroys the fear of death, showing that it is not the end; to forgiveness and freedom; to living out God’s coming kingdom now, in our lives together and our dealings with each other.

This is real. This is truth. This Easter story of Jesus actually happened in history, and it is a living story that is happening today and will continue into the future, for all time. Believe this. Live this. Proclaim this. Christ is risen, Alleluia!

Are we ready to make Jesus everything in our lives, in our families, and in our communities?

When Jesus truly becomes everything to us, we are living in God’s kingdom and our commitment will be unshakeable, both in life and in death. Our baptismal commitment is first to God and to Jesus our Lord, but as members of our local churches and the greater body of Christ, our commitment is also to each other as brothers and sisters, and to our calling to give everything, share everything, and live in true Christian community. Let us pray to stay faithful and keep the genuine joy of following Jesus and living for God’s kingdom. Let’s teach this to our children and new believers, and most of all, act on it.

Photograph by Darius Clement. Used by permission.

I write this today to stir us up to pray that God will give new energy to the weary, new faith and vision to those who falter, and that he will gather us in joy and readiness to give all to Jesus and serve each other humbly. We need this prayer: we do not always hunger and thirst enough for the living Spirit and Word of God, both in our daily lives and when we gather. Jesus addressed this in his time: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matt. 23:37) Too often we are asleep and self-absorbed when God gives small signs of reawakening, and as a result, we miss opportunities to be renewed. This is wrong; it is sin. But rather than losing heart or growing discouraged, we should come to Easter as sinners who repent – changing our minds, our way of thinking, and our way of living. Then sin will vanish, overcome, and we will be redeemed in a moment, in a twinkling of the eye (1 Cor. 15:52), if we only believe and call on Jesus to heal and forgive us.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Matt. 7:7–12).

The power to live in God’s kingdom can only come to us through the Holy Spirit. It will come if we believe and pray for it. It will fill us with joy and an unstoppable energy and power to transform lives and the whole world. The Holy Spirit is at work already all around the world and throughout creation. Will we welcome the power of the Holy Spirit, or will we hinder it? Will we leave our gifts before the altar, and ensure that we are of one heart and soul, without grudges or bitterness (Matt. 5:23–24), so that God can work in us, healing the sick, in mind and body, and raising the dead?

When the Spirit is working among us, and in anyone around the world who welcomes it, it brings love, unity, peace, and confidence about what God wants from us – not separation, anxiety, or hurt. Therefore, even when we are apart from each other in different places, if we are alive in the Spirit, we will be inseparable in one faith, vision, and purpose. When we live in the Spirit, we will have a longing to gather, and our gatherings will be meaningful, nurturing, and full of praise to God. Together, we will be a light to others who are longing for meaning, purpose, and hope in their lives. We will be refreshed with living water and strengthened with food that does not spoil (John 7:38; 6:27). We will share this treasure, and it will multiply, like the loaves and the fishes when Jesus fed the multitudes. More will join God’s church and people. Jesus promised this: “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16).

When will this happen? Only God knows the day and the hour (Matt. 24:36). But we need to be ready, expecting Jesus every day and each minute. There is no time to waste. Being ready does not mean waiting passively. Preparing for the kingdom takes practice, work, and living the gospel with energy, clear strategy, and action. Since older generations may get tired and weary, the youth in their prime of life will rise with vibrant vision and strength to take up many tasks of building up church community and mission. This is happening, but be ready – it will unfold in unprecedented ways.

More is happening and will happen in God’s great narrative. We should believe that it is all leading to the kingdom and remain determined to give our best to serve God and our neighbor wherever we are. Keep the faith and remember: there is victory in Jesus!