Anglican Church of Australia
In the compressed events of the three days of Easter, from Good Friday to Easter Day, we have rich themes for reflection and contemplation. As our society becomes increasingly secularised the deeper story of Christianity is known by fewer people.
Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead are foundational events for Christians,in fact world-defining events that have continuing significance today. All humans, if they are honest with themselves, know what it is to fail, to let themselves and others down. When these failures become collective, they can be catastrophic – and the evidence is all around us, today and through the ages.
War, famine, pestilence, persecution, exploitation, abuse and much more can often be laid at the feet of human ambition and selfishness. Humankind wants to construct the world according to a vision of utopia, but our weaknesses and lack of understanding often lead to failure. Communism is an obvious example of such a theory. It was intended to combat injustice and to improve the plight of the impoverished and marginalised but ended up instead perpetrating more injustice and rendering people more miserable.
But the greatest calamity that fell humanity is found in Genesis, with the account of our alienation from and rejection of God. Logically, the story should end there, with God a distant, transcendent figure. But God, in the infinite mercy and compassion shown through Jesus, does not allow human failure the last word. God’s word – present, we are told, from the time of Creation – is incarnate inthe world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. He is God’s means of rescue and salvation, fullypresent as a person like us.
And that is what we celebrate at Easter. The events of the first Good Friday seemed to Jesus’followers like failure, desolation and despair. But by Easter Day the opposite was true, with thegood news of hope and salvation. Jesus’ resurrection would define the religion that developed inhis name. In the story of the Garden of Eden, Adam acted as the head of humankind. In the same way what Jesus did on the cross he also did as the head of all who believe. As the Bible teaches, we were crucified together with Christ, we were buried with Christ, and we are risen together with him.
For Christians, no calamity, however unbearable, is the end of the story. This is what Christians celebrate at Easter.
Archbishop Philip Freier, Primate Anglican Church of Australia
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand
“God shows His love toward us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us... we know that Christ, been raised from the dead...likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, and alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 5:8; 6: 9-11)
Beloved Faithful,
On behalf of our Diocesan Clergy, Council and all Diocesan establishments we congratulate you on the feast of Holy Easter, the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Resurrection of our Lord is the anchor of our faith, it was so for the Apostles and thus for all the Christians from generation to generation.
Resurrection declares life’s victory over death, the light radiating from the tomb of Christ, heraldsthe annihilation of darkness, Our Lord proclaimed the greatest teaching of love with His self-offering on the cross, through His blood shed on the cross He wiped the sin, Satan’s seal from theforehead of humanity, to find the paradise lost and the way to our Heavenly Father.
This year’s theme in our church is the Family. If the Love of the Risen Lord does not dwell in ourdwelling the rest is in vain. The true love, respect and commitment makes the family’s life span longer and meaningful. Child’s religious and traditional education starts at home, it is here that the child will receive the first instructions on the Christian faith and your way of life as parents will be copied and followed. You will be the ones to direct the first footstep of the child to the church; and it is here that the child will be nourished spiritually, grow and mature with his spiritual inheritance, armoured with the light of Resurrection and with the hope of victory to confront all the challenges of this life.
It is our prayers that the Risen Lord might dwell in your hearts, and strengthen you with the victory of life, where is despair give you hope, where weakness courage, where fear strength and where hate love. Having nurtured ourselves with teachings of our Lord and with the vision of the victorious resurrection we can persevere as an individual, as a family, as a community and bring our input for the preservation of this land and for the final victory of the good.
“O Christ, we are all enlightened through your light and to your holy cross we believers have entrusted” (Sunrise Service)
Christ is risen from the dead, blessed is the Resurrection of Christ
Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian, Primate
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand
Catholic Church in Australia
In many ways the world and the church are passing through dark times, and the question is how tomake sense of the darkness. We aren’t the first to face that question. It lies at the heart of theBible which is a grand and complex answer to the question, What does the darkness mean?
The Hebrew Bible came forth from the darkness of the Babylonian Exile when the religious world of ancient Israel seemed to have collapsed. The People of God sifted through the embers of hopelessness and found a spark of hope which eventually became the great flame of Judaism.
The New Testament emerged from the darkness of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans and the persecution in Rome under Nero. To make sense of the darkness the early Christians turned to the death of Jesus. Calvary looked like the collapse of hope: as the disciples on the roadto Emmaus say, “Our hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free” (Luke 24:21).
Facing into the darkness of the world and the church, we too turn to the Cross. Evil is powerful and the darkness is real. But the greater power which raised Jesus from the dead – we call it the love of God – will bring good from evil, light from darkness. So when we kindle the new fire at Easter we go to the very heart of biblical religion, finding fresh hope in the midst of what seems to behopelessness. That’s why even now we will sing the songs of joy. The victory belongs to love.
Forgiveness is the door through which healing peace enters our world this Easter.
One of the last statements of Jesus on the Calvary Cross was: “Father, forgive them for they knownot what they do.” (Luke 23/24). Forgiveness of every person who harms us is one of the great saving lessons of Good Friday.
Then, the first words of the Risen Lord Jesus at the Resurrection Victory of Easter is: “Peace be
with you.” (Luke 24/36). Easter peace is the first gift to us from our healing God.
This Easter let us receive these gifts of forgiveness and healing peace like never before! Let us begin in our hearts, so easily torn apart by bitterness and selfishness.
Let forgiveness and healing peace flow into our families and friends. May these gifts give us courage to develop real neighbourliness to those in our streets and communities. Let the homeless and lonely this Easter receive not more pious sentiments but real practical charity and care.
Let the forgiveness and healing peace of the Risen Lord Jesus reign this Easter! May we be filled with joy and hope.
Happy Easter to all!
Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn Apostolic Administrator Of Wagga Wagga
Chinese Methodist Church in Australia
May the joy and peace of the resurrection of Jesus Christ be with you all! The resurrection of Jesusis the foundation of the Christian faith. Paul said, “And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.” (1 Cor. 15:17 NLT)
Romans 4:25, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Here we see two important facts about Jesus: First, Jesus was handed over to man because of our sins. God’s purpose in giving up his Son is to provide forgiveness for the transgressions we had committed. Second, the resurrection of Jesus is to justify us. Jesus was raised for the sake of our justification. These are two basic teachings for Christianity: first, Jesus died to pay for our sinful debts; second, Jesus was resurrected to make us righteous so that we have a right relationship with God, our creator.
Let’s continuously acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and rely on his grace, help andstrengthen to face our daily challenges in this world.
Bishop Dr Albert Wong
Chinese Methodist Church in Australia
Churches of Christ in Australia
Easter is a journey, one that Jesus takes, and one that we are invited to take as well. The experiences in this journey are contrasting. Contrast Jesus’ prophetic entry into Jerusalem and theintimacy of the Last Supper with the betrayal, unfair trial, desertion of friends and public death without compassion or justice. This is a journey that seems to end in violence and emptiness.
After the silence of the tomb comes a cry of amazement. He is Risen! This joyous discovery is confirmed by several friends of Jesus who have intimate and personal encounters with the Risen Jesus. After these precious moments they share the news with others and so the Christian witness to the Risen Christ begins.
These contrasts of the Easter journey reflect human experience. The rising hope, shattered dreams, betrayal, desertion and the silence of hopelessness. People in many settings know this to be true. Whether they be victims of abuse or violence, crippled with regret and disappointment, people waiting in camps for a secure place to live or others seeking meaning amidst hopelessness and despair.
The Joy of Easter is that these experiences do not have the final word. The Risen Christ brings forgiveness, healing, grace and new life. We are invited to embrace this with wonder and deep confidence, and as we do so we find the promised new life for ourselves and see the potential for others as well. This is the Easter journey towards new life.
Rev John Gilmore
Churches of Christ in Australia
Congregational Federation of Australia and New Zealand
“NO MORE OF THIS!”
Luke’s Gospel tells us about Jesus’ arrest at Easter:
When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesusanswered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
It was Peter who struck at the servant. Impetuous Peter. Act first, think later Peter.
Jesus’ response has echoed down through time. “No more of this!” No more, ever. The use of violence has to stop. The endless cycle of repaying hurt with hurt, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, is at an end no matter what you think your motivations are.
Peter was willing to fight and injure people in defence of Jesus. Like Peter, many of us justify using violence in defence of a worthy cause. We are good people who would never strike out either physically or in words, unless it was needed. And how often we find it is needed! To protect ourselves, our loved ones, our property, our reputations, our points of view, or to correct other people who lack our insight into the errors of their ways. The sad fact is that violence is within us and so often we are looking for an excuse to unleash it.
If violence is within us it lies within ourselves to stop it: “No more of this!”
This Easter, may we honour the sacrifice that Christ made for us by saying with him to ourselves,
“No more of this!”
Dr Joe Goodall, Moderator
The Congregational Federation of Australia and New Zealand
Coptic Orthodox Church – Diocese of Sydney and Affiliated Regions
Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen!!
It is my pleasure to wish you all the blessings of the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection of Christ our Saviour. St. Paul says, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection." (Philippians 3:10).
The resurrection has power. This power is stronger than anything. The resurrection is not a historical event but a functional status for man to live by, experience and enjoy. The resurrection confirms that death is not the end of the road. It was the resurrection that raised Mary Magdalene when she was in doubt. While in her sadness, she thought that Christ was the gardener. When He called her by name, she joyfully greeted Him.
The resurrection alleviated the disciples from their fear. They had been terrified and kept all doors shut. When the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them, the Bible says: "Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20). Resurrection raises man from sin. Man cannot rise from the impurity of sin except by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that pleased all mankind when He was crucified and died on the cross for the sake of all.
May the light of the risen Christ fill your families and homes with abundant spiritual strength and joy. Christ bless Australia, its Government and its people.
Bishop Daniel
With the Grace of God
Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church - Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
At Easter we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, a particularly horrifying death. Yet, out of that time of torment and despair came a resounding message of hope, forgiveness and compassion.
The message of the carpenter’s son of Nazareth is as vital for the troubled world of today as it was 2,000 years ago. In the words of William Penn “Force may subdue but love gains”.
In peace,
Jo Jordan, Presiding Clerk
Religious Society of Friends in Australia (Quakers)
The Salvation Army, Australia
Dear Friends
In the early hours of the third day, his followers went to the tomb. There they found nothing thatthey expected. His body wasn’t there. The stone, rolled away, now revealed an empty tomb. It wasthis moment of finding ‘nothing’ expected that changed everything. It changed everything then andstill changes everything today.
It was only when they found nothing, that the disciples began to realise everything had truly changed. This empty tomb discovery was the beginning of a journey into a new and deepening understanding of Jesus, his teaching and mission. The life-changing implications of finding nothing they had anticipated in that tomb would take a lifetime to come to understand. But it was the discovery of a resurrected Jesus that changed everything, in that moment and for the rest of their lives.
The stone that sealed the tomb had been rolled away, not so Jesus could escape the grave, but so that his disciples would find nothing.
In all of our abundance and ability to find what’s needed in the moment, it is not until we find the ‘nothing’ of the empty tomb that we truly experience the heartfelt longing for deep change. As wegaze into the truth of the empty tomb once again this Easter, may we hear the invitation to embrace the deep change and transformation that finding the tomb empty offers. Know afresh that every promise God has made to us he is faithful to keep – the empty tomb is proof of his faithfulness to his promise (Psalm 119:89-90). Know afresh that the same power that raised Christ from the dead, is the power that is available to us today through his Spirit (Ephesians 1:19-20).
Those that found the tomb empty, even before they could fully understand all that it meant, knew that others needed to know that finding ‘nothing’ does change everything. Let’s not wait until wehave fully understood all that the empty tomb means. That will take a lifetime. There are others all around us waiting for the word of hope that change is possible, because the tomb is empty.Nothing’ still changes everything!
Commissioner Floyd Tidd, Territorial Commander
The Salvation Army, Australia
