"For you have died, your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be
revealed with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)
"You have died." The words resonate because this world's
violence and suffering -- so pervasive, so needless, so relentless
-- haunt every human community and life. Where death rules, hope
lies entombed in endless grief.
Another death -- the crucifixion of Jesus -- changed everything.
God is not hidden, but present through suffering, sorrow, and
death. Jesus is God's resounding "yes!" to the steadfastness of
God's forgiving love, embodied on a cross.
The death of Jesus shows no partiality. It was for all nations
and all people -- for them, for you, for me. Your life is now
with Christ. In baptism you have died. Hidden with Christ, no
longer entombed in grief, your life carries the promise of glory.
From that first day of resurrection onward, God has been raising
up messengers of salvation, heralds of peace, and testifiers of
the promised glory. You are a witness of the hope to come.
Quite simply, Christ is your life, my life, our life. You have
no other than this One who lives resurrected in you.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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The presiding bishop's 2008 Easter message is available also
at http://www.ELCA.org/bishop/messages/m_easter2008.html on the
ELCA Web site. An audio recording of the message at
http://media.ELCA.org/audionews/2008MSHEaster.mp3 on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
