Easter Message from the Dean

Many blessings to all within the St. Andrew’s Hall community at Easter.  As we near the end of term with final papers and exams, we pause to participate with Christians around the world in the celebration of Easter. At Easter, we get up early and journey with Jesus’ followers to the garden tomb where his body lay from Good Friday.  What happens in that place changes human history forever! Now, each of the four gospels has their own unique telling of the Easter story.  For example, in Luke’s gospel Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James—the first witnesses to the resurrection—are amazed at the words of the angels, “He has risen!” They tell the disciples who run to see for themselves that the tomb is empty. Then Luke leads us away from Jerusalem, with Cleopas and his unnamed friend. A stranger joins them, and they try to explain all that has happened in the city as they engage in theological discussion walking towards Emmaus. Once there, the stranger accepts their hospitality and (unusually!) takes the place of the host at the table, blessing and breaking the bread. By doing so, they recognize their travel companion as the risen Lord Jesus, and their hearts burn within them as they race to tell others. Finally, Luke closes the chapter with Jesus appearing to his disciples and sharing a meal, so that all could witness His risen glory.

What a day, what a story, what a miracle—what a Saviour!

In light of the resurrection, Jesus makes clear that our job description as disciples includes the key role of witness. We are witnesses of these things! CML Senior Fellow Darrell Guder once wrote in Be My Witnesses that the vocation of the Christian Church (both individually and corporately) is to live out witness in three distinct ways: being, doing, and saying. First, our common life together, our character, and moral standing all serve as our witness. So too our actions in the world speak a clear message about what we value and who we worship. Third, our words matter. What we say and how we speak can bless or curse, and the discernment to speak in a way that is worthy witness to the gospel is our calling as Christians. On this Easter Sunday, may we as individuals and as a community here at SAH—through our being, doing, and saying—be witnesses who give glory to the risen King.

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Almighty God, through raising Your Son Jesus from the grave, You broke the power of sin and death. As we celebrate Your great triumph today, may we also make it the model for our living. Help us to turn from death to life and meet You with joy in Your Easter glory, grace, and goodness. Amen.

 

The Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart