The Easter story begins with Jesus Christ riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

He is accompanied by a crowd of disciples; and the road is lined with people laughing and cheering and waving palm branches.

It is an act of defiance, and it makes a mockery of the proud arrogance of the political and religious leaders of the time.

It’s not surprising that Christ had to die.

Christ is arrested, and in a fake trial he refuses to make any concession to the authorities: he is found guilty and crucified.

And then, we read of his resurrection.

Now, however you understand the resurrection story, it does represent a vindication of Christ’s stance – it is the triumph of a message of truth and love over lies and exploitation.

In our own time, there are plenty of parallels, at least with the first part of the story.

Where there is abuse of power, when leaders behave in an aggressive, cruel and despotic fashion, those who stand up to them – and especially those who make fools of the authorities – are likely to find themselves persecuted. 

But how are we to find resurrection in today’s world?

How can faith, expressed in words and in actions, overcome the power of ruthless rulers?

This Easter, we have to hope and to believe that this can happen; and we surely need to work and to pray, as individuals and communities, that the light of truth and love and justice will prevail in our time.

Alvene and John Costello

Carver Uniting Church

 Windermere