Easter

 

 

Easter Devotional
An imagined newspaper article from 2000 years ago
The Rev. Mark Evans
Trinity Episcopal Church
 

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[April 19, 2019]  Dateline: Jerusalem

Last Friday, an itinerant preacher known most widely as Jesus of Nazareth, was executed on a cross by the Roman authorities at the behest of Jesus’ own religious leaders. Although he was by all accounts a humble and unassuming man, he nonetheless was subjected to the cruelest form of execution normally reserved for notorious criminals.

When questioned, none of the religious authorities would comment publically on the trial and execution; however, anonymous sources did allude to rumors that Jesus had compared himself with God, even calling himself ‘The Son of God’ on occasion.

This charge of blasphemy was ostensibly the basis for his drastic punishment, although others who were close to Jesus insist that his call for repentance and a coming of a new kingdom that is superior to the governments created by men, was the real source for his arrest.

The religious and military leaders were concerned that this ‘Messiah,’ as he was called, might indeed succeed in uniting all people regardless of nationality or status, such that their own standing, which required these divisions, would be undermined.

This kingdom that relied on love instead of coercion, servant hood rather than authority, and humility rather than power, was so far from their comprehension that they saw no other way than to silence him.

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When asked why Jesus did not defend himself against these charges, his followers replied that his intent was not to defend himself, but instead to take onto himself the sins of the world, even of those who killed him, and nullify them. His goal was that bodily death would no longer be the ultimate end for humans, that eternal life, even after bodily death, was not only possible but expected.

On Sunday, strange reports that Jesus may have overcome death began to surface. Various people say they have seen Jesus alive and even the Roman authorities concede that his tomb is empty. If true, Jesus’ resurrection would mean that all of his claims about God, the coming kingdom and eternal life are real.

It will take time for us to determine if Jesus is really who he said he was: the Way, the Truth and the Life.
One person has already made a determination a very unlikely source; a centurion who oversaw Jesus’ crucifixion and witnessed his death has said, "Truly, this man was God’s Son."

Perhaps someday, a book will be written about this man’s life; it may prove to be a bestseller.

 

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