Jesus
said, “I am the resurrection and the life;
he
that believeth in me shall never die”. John 11:25
Dear
brothers and sisters,
Here
we are, commemorating another Easter! Despite the troubled times, we have to
celebrate our risen Lord, for the spirit and courage of Easter goes on. The stay-at-home situation is new for some
people, but not for those who have been housebound, sometimes for many years,
due to sickness or age. To have to spend more time and interaction with our
household members is a good thing, although for some, the stay-at-home
situation has intensified the challenges they face in strained relationships.
On the whole, everyone is having to reflect on fundamentally important aspects
of human life, of their own lives and how they want to live them when the usual
freedom of movement is severely restricted. This is a good time to reflect on
what in our lives really matters, and how we live intentionally in such a way
that we truly put those things first which matter most. – What are the right
priorities in a time of the new corona virus pandemic? What role does God play
in public life, here in The Gambia and also abroad, and anywhere in the world?
What role does God play in our personal lives, and in how we spend our times as
families?
The
disciples of Jesus went through a similar stay-at-home situation after Jesus
died. They were in fear for their lives because they had been with Jesus. In
fact, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, denied that he knew Jesus when he
was arrested. All the other disciples deserted Jesus, to protect themselves
from those who killed him.
Although
they stayed together, they hid themselves away, went into lockdown in that
famous Upper Room (John 20:19), where they had shared the last supper with
Jesus. Now, they were hiding away, full of fear. Mournful, full of frustration,
and anxious, for they had lost their leader. They had witnessed how he was
tried in a mock trial, tortured, crucified, pierced with a spear. They saw how
he breathed his last breath, how his body was taken down from the cross, and
they buried him in a tomb.
Now,
they were on their own. All they had lived for during the last three years was
gone, taken from them in an instant. What should they do now, what should they
do next, what should they do for the rest of their lives?
Today,
together with the rest of the world, Christians also have to stay at home with
immediate family and households, indefinitely, due to this pandemic. Like
Jesus’ disciples, the stay-at-home is uncertain, and like the disciples they
are asked to pray to Almighty God to enter their situation and bring wisdom and
guidance to their lives. They can and must pray to God for his gracious
intervention, they must intercede for the world, and pray that God will bring
an end to the pandemic, so that there will again be freedom to move around
freely, freedom for everyone yet again to go about their daily lives freely and
without fear for their lives. All of us must make time and pray.
It
was in this state of fearful suspense that the isolated disciples encountered
Jesus in a new way. In the weeks leading up to his crucifixion, Jesus had told
them many times that he would have to die and that he would rise up again from
the dead, but they did not, they could not believe it. Yes, they had seen how
Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain from death. Yes, they had seen how he
raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. Yes, they had seen how he called
and he raised Lazarus from the dead, how he called forth Lazarus from the grave
four days after he had died. But they did not, they could not believe that
Jesus himself could rise from the dead.
How
could he? – They had witnessed how the crowds cheered at the crucified Jesus
and how the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save
himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” They saw how the soldiers
also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are
the King of the Jews, save yourself” (Luke 23:35-37)! – And yet, Jesus died,
and all their hopes were dashed.
It
is after this time of anxious self-isolation and worried anticipation that
everything changes. On the third day, the disciples are faced with reports of
an empty tomb. Jesus’ body had gone, it was not any more where it had been
buried. In John’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene informed the disciples that the large
stone at the grave had been rolled away and Jesus’ body was not in the tomb.
Peter and John went to see for themselves and confirmed the empty tomb. By the
time they leave the tomb, they have come to believe what Jesus had told them.
Now, they believed in the resurrection of Jesus.
As
Mary Magdalene had continued to stay by the tomb, she became the first person
to see Jesus in his resurrected person. Then two disciples met Jesus on the way
to Emmaus. After that, all of his disciples saw him, first without Thomas, and
then a second time with Thomas. At one time, about 500 people saw him, all at
once.
What
lessons can we learn from Easter? How does the celebration of Easter help us in
our current, worldwide crisis?
First,
let us be patiently confident rather than anxiously suspicious. Let us not join those who constantly
criticize everything, those who willfully oppose all that is not in their
personal interest or agenda, those who promote only themselves and things that
are unproductive and harmful to the common good, because they spread fear and
despair.
Rather,
in this unprecedented situation, where there is so much beyond our control, let
us be patiently confident, especially our youths. Let us be people of hope who
share faith, hope and love with all who are worried and depressed. Let us spread confidence and trust and share
with others how the sure knowledge of God’s love and mercy in our daily lives
gives us confidence and enables us to be patient and hopeful.
Second,
let us be loving and caring. What resources do we have to be kind to others in
practical ways? Let us share with others, generously in word and deed.
Why? Because God loves all of us and has
already given us so much in Jesus Christ his Son’s, death, burial and
resurrection. There is no-one in this world who does not deserve love and life. In Jesus we see God’s life and love
manifested for all peoples in the world. Forgiveness and unconditional love
will never be overcome by hatred and malice. Let us change our hearts and
transform ourselves to be the people of God he has created us to be.
Third,
let us comfort those who mourn. Many are
dying around the world, and there is so much pain and heartache, everywhere. In
a time when so many die so quickly, where can comfort be found? – It can only
be found in Jesus, who said: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
To
those who have lost loved ones and ask who can save them from death and give
them new life, to those who fear for their own lives and are afraid of death,
Jesus Christ says: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
To
those who are mournful and sad because Easter this year is not being celebrated
in the usual way, be comforted and be encouraged. Remember that Jesus Christ
rose from the dead, and that he, Jesus, will also raise us and our loved ones
from the dead, if we believe in him as our Lord and Saviour.
Christ
is risen! He is risen, Indeed! Alleluia! May Almighty God comfort and bless you
and your family this Easter.
