Easter’s joy waits on the horizon, and we can hardly wait. We need the reminders of new life—resurrection—that are possible because of Jesus. It also seems appropriate that we remember how death—Jesus’ and our own—may precede whatever we hope will come to pass because of Easter.
Death looms large in news stories and in our national psyche. As these words find their way onto this screen, thousands of children in Gaza are starving to death—a slow, agonizing form of torture. In Ukraine, families huddle in bombed-out cities, fearful of death raining down on them from the missile-and-drone-filled skies. The streets in the capital city of Haiti are littered with corpses, as armed gangs mete out violent death. In out-of-the-headlines places throughout the world—and in our own country—people who are poor, unhoused, addicted, unloved, alone, chronically ill, trapped or oppressed may know death as a lingering presence that shadows them every day.
The resurrection hopes of these people may be spiritually grounded, but they’re also tethered to tangible realities: Heaven’s glories may seem far distant compared to immediate needs for peace, food, healing and safety.
Although death stalks many of our brothers and sisters across the world, new life can also dawn because of our actions during this Holy Week, and during the coming days of Easter remembrance. Numerous charities await our contributions; lonely souls hope for our presence; frozen political processes require our insistent critique and overworked life-givers—doctors, nurses, public servants, law enforcement officers and pastors—deserve our gratitude.
We, too, may encounter death close-at-hand, but we also can be life-bringers, strong evidence that Easter is more than just another good idea. We can be part of Jesus’ conquering of death.
What a Good Friday this could be!
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