Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41.10
Dear Christ Church family,
Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
Those essential words will ring out all over the world this Sunday.
But they will sound differently this year.
Throughout the history of the Church, societies have endured crises which transformed how they received the Easter proclamation. From saints huddled behind medieval city walls in spring, shuddering against a hostile siege, to believers celebrating the Resurrection in the midst of terrible plague. From first century Roman persecution to China’s Cultural Revolution, Christians have faced grave trials. But the Easter proclamation:
Christ is Risen!
, has never waned.
This is the first time American Christians have known a ‘social distancing Holy Week’ for a hundred years. Schools and public church services have not been silenced since the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-1919.
We will never forget this Easter.
We celebrate that when He rose from death, Christ Jesus brought life and hope to a fragile, frightened world. Because He is alive, the Lord is with us through every step of this long, anxious journey, strengthening us, helping us, and holding us up ‘with His righteous right hand.’
This Easter, I pray that you will experience the blessing of God described in Ephesians 1.18:
“That you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe.”
This Easter, draw strength and hope from He who conquered death for you!
Faithfully yours in Christ,
David+
