Last year, I wrote a couple of blog posts asking questions about what Jeremy Greaves, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland believes about the return of Jesus.
So, I was interested to hear what he would say about Easter. What I heard was encouraging and yet discouraging. Let me quote the heart of it so you can see what I mean. (Or watch it for yourself here.)
‘And I think I would tell the 15-year-old me is: it does get better. Whatever it is that you're going through now, it does get better.
You know it seems to me that this is the message at the heart of an Easter Faith.
No matter the darkness. No matter what the world might throw at you. No matter how desperate things seem. It does get better. Love will endure. Hope will win out.
In the mystery of the Resurrection that we celebrate at Easter God tells us again, and again - death does not have the final word. Darkness does not have the final word. Despair does not have to win. Love endures. Hope wins out. It will get better and we can sing Hallelujah.’
Bravo! The heart of the Easter message is that darkness and despair are not the final word. And, things get better, ultimately. Many people are facing despair and feel a great sense of darkness. So, it is wonderful to address this head-on.
And yet, this message is discouraging. Did you notice the absence of Jesus? Scan the quote above again. Yes, Jesus’ existence and his resurrection are implied. But, you must already know the Christian message to get the meaning. You need the prior knowledge that it is Jesus’ resurrection that proves death does not have the final word and that despair and darkness do not win.
Now, perhaps, at first glance, this seems an unfair criticism. For Anglicans, of all people, know Jesus is the key. They can fill in the gaps. But, the absence of Jesus is significant. A contrast will help draw out what is missing.
Here is what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Corinthian church.
3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.
Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians chapter 15
This very early creedal reference makes Jesus Christ absolutely central. He died for our sins. He was buried. He was raised on the third day. All according to the Scriptures. This is not a general vague hope of life and love conquering. This is a sharp and specific hope that only exists because of what God has done through Jesus.
And this sharp hope should give every person pause. For the implications of Jesus’ resurrection for Christian believers and the world are stunning. Here’s what Paul says after a long exploration of Jesus’ resurrection.
51 Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. 54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:
Death has been swallowed up in victory.
55 Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians chapter 15
God’s love endures. Yes, Darkness does not have the final word. Yes, despair does not have to win. Because of the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Jesus’ resurrection, 2000 odd years ago, means there is a life and world to come for all those who put their trust in him and his resurrection. There is a sharpness and clarity here that Anglicans and the whole world need to hear.
Without naming the person of Jesus, the door is opened to a Christ-less Christianity that is no Christianity at all. Jeremy, may I be very bold? Can I encourage you to put Jesus and his name at the centre of all you teach and say? Our hope depends on him and Easter is about him.