Dear friends,
HAPPY EASTER! Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from the dead. We celebrate the fact that he has once and for all defeated sin and death for us, and given us the hope and promise of eternal life.
And yet, what a strange sort of Easter this one will be. No family gatherings, no inspiring and rousing church services. No egg rolling or egg hunts except in the privacy of your own garden if you are fortunate enough to have one, no Easter Bunnies – indeed, none of the usual things. And yet, in a strange sort of way, all that makes it easier for us to focus on what Easter is all about.
About 1930 the Communist leader Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly. His subject: atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling argument and ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smouldering ashes of men’s faith. ‘Are there any questions?’ Bukharin demanded. A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them. At last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting CHRIST IS RISEN! The cast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche ‘HE IS RISEN INDEED!’
There are many in our own situation today who want to say that the Faith is rubbish and that Christianity is useless. And yet, just as Christ defeated sin and death, so the invisible enemy with whom we are engaging at present will be defeated. We just need to be patient and keep safe.
In the meantime, it is important that we continue to show our gratitude to the NHS, to scientists and researchers, to food producers and distributers, and to friends and neighbours who are doing so much to help us to cope and stay safe. And it is vital that we continue to pray for that breakthrough that will bring deliverance. It is vital that we remember that:
CHRIST IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED!
With love and blessings,
Marion
