Zetland Park Methodist Church Pastoral Letters
24 April 2011

He is NOT here …!

Now, that's got the questions coming … but the immediate answer is that somebody has removed the body: there is, of course, NO other explanation … Is there?

One of the most challenging school assemblies I have done in recent weeks is in response to the question, 'Will you tell us about Easter, please?' Now, this was NOT to be anything about Easter eggs; bunnies and rolling eggs down hillsides … no, what is Easter to you?'

So, how DO YOU BEGIN to express in language which is non-Church and easy enough for people of seven upwards to understand why you believe in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ: the 'event' we celebrate this Easter Day and which has radically changed our lives?

You will find that to explain a belief you find easy to take on board cannot readily be EXPLAINED. How do you express in words, a wonderful emotion, for is that not what 'belief' is about?

This day, as every day, I rejoice that I know my Redeemer lives: I seek to live out my days in that knowledge and to do my work with that FACT as the foundation from which I work … But that is me: my response to a story which begun with the statement of 'He is not here …' The physical evidence had gone: the guards had failed in their task; the authorities were ultra suspicious of the disciples … Where they next in line? Was the source of the story of faith going to be snuffed out from day one because no physical proof could be found?

In these days of instant access to proof-positive via electronic means, where do we stand in all this?

• Let it NOT be just another Act of Worship, but THE act of thanksgiving for God's wonderful love
• Let it so affect your life; words; actions that the rest that the world WILL know that He has been raised because YOU AND I will overflow with that enthusiasm
• For it is ONLY US that can now tell that story, for that seed of faith has been planted: will you let it flourish with RESURRECTION JOY?

• Shalom,
  Malcolm