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“ The events of the Resurrection were so unprecedented... that they were written down and passed on to ensure the miracle and life of Jesus was not forgotten or lost.

WHAT does Easter mean to you? A time of hope and celebration? A time of joy? Or a time to reflect and find peace in new beginnings?

Nearly 2000 years ago, the death of Jesus on the cross and overcoming death in new life brought hope and new life to the people of God.

Imagine you were one of the followers of Jesus at that time. From the darkest grief the most amazing miracle occurred – the overcoming of the ultimate moment of death. How would you have reacted? Confusion, joy, anger, grief, peace? Would you have questioned – like Thomas later did – or accepted some things are beyond rational explanation?

The events of the Resurrection were so unprecedented that they were written down (at a time when things were not routinely recorded) and passed on to ensure the miracle and life of Jesus was not forgotten or lost.

The overwhelming message of the life of the Son of God has inspired (and continues to inspire) billions of people around the world.

This month, at a time of deep uncertainty, change and challenge for the whole world, the unifying message of Easter needs to be at the heart of a renaissance of faith and a rediscovery of hope and promise.

The Church of Scotland has a part to play in all of the challenges of today – at home and overseas. Who would have imagined that the Moderator of the General Assembly would accompany the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury on a peacekeeping mission to South Sudan, the world’s newest country in February?

In these days of economic challenge and global unfairness particularly around climate change and social justice, my prayer this Easter is that the Church of Scotland will be a prophetic voice for peace and justice for all as the world navigates these challenging moments of history.

The changes faced at a local level are playing a part in sustaining the Church for the future but sight must not be lost of the Church’s wider ability to influence and speak up for the poorest and oppressed both at home and overseas and seek equality and fairness for all on the challenges facing the whole world.

For it is through those words and actions that communities will respond and fully understand and appreciate the place of the Church of Scotland – and its sister Christian churches – in underpinning our world.

In retelling the story of the last week of Christ’s life and the remarkable events which turned the world upside down and created the foundation of the Christian faith, may the world catch the peace and promise of hope of Easter.

Lynne McNeil Editor