Easter is so much more than just one of the most significant events on the Christian calendar. Yes, it’s the time believers consider the historic events of the crucifixion on Good Friday and celebrate the Resurrection hope three days later, but the Easter message is relevant for every human being and the world we live in today. 

 

Not a day goes by when we aren’t faced with the news of human suffering - be it through the natural disasters such as in Haiti or Chile, or the cyclones and floods that have recently hit our own local communities, or the incredible ravages of poverty across the globe. Almost daily the media reports on the personal tragedies or road accidents leaving people shattered by heartbreak and pain.

 

While it can be overwhelming that so many innocent people experience such pain and grief, the Easter message is one of hope. Consider Jesus, Himself an innocent man, who experienced such horrific physical and emotional suffering on the Cross… In doing so, He identifies with and relates to the pain we experience here on earth. It enables us to seek God in those times of despair and sorrow, and know that He relates to the challenges we face.

 

We take hope because the suffering on the Cross wasn’t the end of the story, and neither is our current situation. The Resurrection reminds us that there is hope in the midst of the dark days. The Christian faith is not one of denial where we ignore adversity and it will go away. Our faith in Jesus gives us the strength to face life and all its obstacles head on, knowing God meets us where we’re at and takes us through.

 

You can visit the graves of any of history’s great revolutionary and religious leaders, but go to the tomb where they buried Jesus in Jerusalem and it’s empty. He is not there – He has risen. The Resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of every believer’s faith in God.