Resurrection Hope

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The last few weeks have been a time of fear and trepidation as we contemplate a global virus and the economic fallout that will inevitably follow. It is easy to spiral downwards in our thoughts and conversations about the present and an unknown future.

Easter cuts right through the misery and despair. Its message of hope and sacrificial love from an Eternal God is the light that will extinguish the accuser’s plans to intimidate the Church. We have a message called the ‘Good News’! This has not changed or altered. We need to remember that God is in control. His plans and purposes are not on hold, his mandate for The Salvation Army has not changed.

I know as we traverse the challenges ahead that we will take every opportunity to bring the life-affirming message of the Resurrection to our communities. We may have to adjust how we communicate this, but we need to bring the hope—to speak life—to the frightened, the despairing, the people of New Zealand who do not have the comfort of the promises of the Easter Resurrection.

In this week’s War Cry feature, we are reminded of the impact of the Resurrection story from women’s perspective. Women were the first witnesses to the Resurrection, they were the first to ‘Go and Tell’. Many attempts have been made to silence the feminine voice, but the Great Commission was given to each one of us. Jesus asked us all to bring the hope-filled message to our generation. This is our time. 

Vivienne Hill
Editor

Bible verse

John 20:17 [Jesus talking to Mary]
Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God”.’

Hoani 20:17
Ka mea a Īhu ki a ia, ‘Kei pā ki ahau; kīanō hoki ahau i kake noa ki tōku Matua. Engari haere ki ōku tēina, ka mea atu ki a rātou, “Ka kake ahau ki tōku Matua, ki tō koutou Matua: ki tōku Atua, ki tō koutou Atua”.’