In my last post I told you about my struggles with being home after my most recent trip to El Salvador. Despite all the difficulties- I do have hope, I have faith that one day there will be justice in El Salvador and all over the world.
This year I have really found renewal and growth during the season of Lent. In past years, I have never really looked forward to or enjoyed Lent- it leads up to Jesus’ death- how depressing is that? But this year I have been doing a lot of reflecting on Jesus' death and what led up to his death. It seems a little strange that every year Christians insist on retelling the story of Jesus' violent death. Why do we submit ourselves to hearing and telling such a sad, depressing story? This story reminds me of my own responsibility for Jesus' death on the cross, the story reminds me of the brokenness of the world- the sin and injustice that necessitated Jesus' death. I am reminded of the suffering that Jesus took upon himself, and I am reminded of the suffering that continues today in the world.
But I've come to realize that it is indeed a very good thing that we retell this story every year, because the story doesn’t end here when Jesus died on the cross. One might think that Jesus’ death would be the end of the story, because usually death is the end of a story. However, it is good that we keep retelling this story because every time we tell or hear the story of the crucifixion, we can anticipate the next part of the story- Jesus’ resurrection.
When Jesus died on the cross, Jesus took on all the violence and the suffering and the evil of the world. He accepted, he absorbed, these things so that we would not have to. We have to tell the story of the crucifixion because the resurrection means nothing without the crucifixion. When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, he had overcome all the violence and suffering that he took on.
In his death and resurrection, Jesus began the work of renewing the world- he started getting rid of the old and bringing in the new. He began the process of restoring the world to what God intended for the world- a world of justice, a world where neighbors love each other, a world of peace. Jesus began this work of restoration even before his death. During his three years of ministry Jesus taught his followers that the two most important things were to love God and to love our neighbors (anyone in need). And more importantly Jesus often cared for and loved other people by providing for their physical, emotions, and spiritual needs.
Jesus began the work of restoring all of Creation with his resurrection and this might be a good happy ending for this story, but the story doesn’t end here. He didn't just leave things on earth to fester. No, Jesus had a plan that he was working out when he started finding and building up his disciples. Jesus planned for his followers to carry on his work, his ministry. Jesus gave each and every one of us the responsibility of continuing the work that he started. We humans have no power of our own to restore Creation, to bring about the Reign of God, but God does most certainly work through us to bring about that restoration.
This is a huge and overwhelming responsibility that we have been given, to work to announce the coming of the Reign of God. I have seen only some of the so many things that have to change, and this has often made me want to give up in utter despair.
But knowing that Jesus left me work to do is also very empowering and exciting. We do have the ability and the gifts needed to be Jesus' hands and feet. God gave us all what we need to continue Jesus’ ministry of loving and caring for all people- especially those who society ignores and rejects.
Easter reminds us that violence, death, and injustice will not have the final word. Violence, death, and injustice put Jesus into the tomb that first Good Friday, but God’s love had the power to overcome all that. Love, grace, and justice will one day prevail.
So, there is indeed hope. Hope is found in the fact that you and I can do something right now and tomorrow and the next day to bring about a more just world. We won't be able to solve all the world's problems, but the story doesn’t end here. And realizing that the story doesn’t end here is where we find the greatest hope of all- hope in the fact that one day God will restore everything and there will be complete justice. We don't know when that one day will come, but until then we have the responsibility to do whatever we can to love all, extend grace, and establish justice. Nothing we do will be even close to complete, but in small (yet often very significant) ways we can do something. Doing nothing is not an option.
Perhaps my Salvadoran friends will not live to see the day when there will be justice, but God willing their children will live in a more just world and with each new generation there might be more justice. While I won’t be able to solve the problems in El Salvador there are things (however small) that I can do to take steps toward justice. And one day when God comes to establish the Reign of God on earth there will be justice for my Salvadoran friends and for all people. This is what gives me hope- the future and God's promise that life will overcome death, that justice will prevail.
This brings me to my favorite poem/prayer that I have often turned to for guidance and reassurance. It’s called Prophets of a Future Not Our Own, and you can find it here.
Happy Easter!!! May you find hope in this Easter day and may you find hope in God’s promise to His people that one day “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning of crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
