A Fresh Perspective - 03/28/08

In Matthew's Gospel there is quite a contrast in the responses of the soldiers and the women to the resurrection event. Both were struck with fear, but the women were also filled with joy. The women, full of life, were sent to proclaim to the other disciples the good news that Jesus was alive, whereas the guards "were like dead men."

Death, besides being a cold, stark physical reality is a poignant theological symbol of the oppressive, destructive power of evil in our world that fractures and fragments societies, relationships, and individual lives.

This evil power was at work in all the actors of the crucifixion scene: the corrupt religious leaders who arrested Jesus and recruited false testimony for his trial before the High Priest; Pilate, the Roman governor, who cared more about maintaining his influence and appeasing his supporters than doing the right thing; the soldiers, who all in a day's work made sport of Jesus, taunting and mocking him as king of the Jews; the blood-thirsty crowd, easily manipulated, who chanted "Crucify him!"; and the disciples, enslaved to their fears and frustrations, who fled and deserted Jesus.

Though Easter is here and the ultimate power of sin and death has been shattered, it still feels like a Good Friday world. Evil so often prevails in many societal structures and systems from corruption in government to corruption in religion. And how often do we experience this enslaving power in our own lives when we are motivated by greed or jealousy or a desire for position and honor, or when our hate, resentment, and bitterness hold us within their grip.

Easter was vindication of the cross of Jesus - a life of self-giving for God's cause in the world and for the good of others that ended in rejection and crucifixion. Easter was God's "Yes" to the new world Jesus embodied and proclaimed - a world of peace, healing, forgiveness, and justice for all; a world where the poor in spirit, the meek, and the pure in heart will inherit the earth (Matt 5:1-1-12).

And now the power of Christ's risen life is available so that we might live the reality of "the world to come" ahead of time. William Sloan Coffin says that Christ is risen "to put love in our hearts, decent thoughts in our heads and more iron up our spine." He writes, "Easter has less to do with one person's escape from the grave than with the victory of seemingly powerless love over loveless power."

It may seem like the power of hate and violence are winning, but God's vindication of Christ means that "loveless power" is passing away, and that "powerless love" will prevail. Easter means that love will win.

Chuck Queen is Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Frankfort (CBF affiliated). You can access his sermons and past articles at www.ibcfrankfort.com. He welcomes your comments at cqueen@fewpb.net