He is arisen. He is not here
Easter is the Christian Church's annual celebration of human victory over sin and death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That resurrection is a point of history and of faith. It actually happened and, because of our faith, it is real and powerful.
Beyond that, Jesus' resurrection calls us to rise above a number of other human "deaths" that we die.
The "death" that comes from hatred
Many people hate other people, and some even claim that they have so-called "justifiable" or "good" reasons to do so. However, hate does not give life. It destroys. It does not harm the one you hate, it harms the one who hates.
Hate also creates division, stunts our growth and robs us of peace. Do you know how much energy it takes to sustain hatred? At the Eucharist we quote Romans 14:19, "Let us then pursue the things that make for peace and build up the common life." Psalm 34:14 reads, "Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it."
Only Jesus can take away hate. Ask Him today. The Heavenly Father raised Him from the tomb; ask Him to raise you up out of hatred.
The "death" that comes form unforgiveness
Some people who have been hurt or wronged often find it hard to forgive. Many might claim that they have "justifiable" reasons not to forgive. However, there is a need to process pain positively because, like hate, unforgiveness does not destroy the unforgiven one, but the one who does not forgive. Ongoing unforgiveness also encourages thoughts of revenge, of "getting back at" the person. Stop and consider how much energy it takes to "hold someone in" for a long time.
Ephesians 4:32 says, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."
Proverbs 24:17 says, "Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble."
Conclusion
What other negatives are "killing" you today? To what have you already "succumbed"?
The hope and victory that Jesus brings through His resurrection frees us not only from the sting of physical death but also from many other crippling human realities.
Allow the hand of the master to touch you with eternal life today.
Christianity is meaningless unless those who profess it practice it in everyday life and situations. Christianity is meaningless unless we who profess it allow the power of God to liberate us.
Children of God, let us get out there everyday and live this.
On behalf of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, I wish you all a happy Easter.
-- REVEREND LAISH BOYD,
Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands

Our only sure guarantee
In an age of obvious disappointments and dashed hopes, the above title seems a bit presumptuous or trite to say the least. Is there such a thing as a sure and certain guarantee? Is there something or someone we can trust unconditionally? Given the collapse of insurance companies, job reduction and losses, and an apparent drawn-out recession, who can we really trust? The picture of the current situation is dismal and bleak. Despair looms large across the landscape of our country. What can I put my trust in? After all, how many times have you been given the promise of a job, a loan, or the prospect of a lasting friendship or marriage, only to have your hopes dashed and crushed?
In this article I proffer a surety or guarantee that will not fail. Of course no one does that, and neither do I, by and of myself. However, Christ, who is God who made us, has the authority to make such an offer or a reliable and certain declaration and that He does. What is it? How can I know it? Where can I find it? What is in it for me?
Christ's resurrection offers hope
In the well-known passage of John 14:1-3, Jesus makes a promise to return to earth for the human family. That includes everyone, for John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world". However, the fulfillment of that promise is the future, but we live in the now. We need help in this instance. We need assurance this very moment, for bills are to be paid, unemployment exists, injustice and abuse are also apparent, and foreclosure is evident. Apart from these concerns are the struggle of wanting to do right and avoiding the temptation to compromise when at times, compromise seems to be the norm.
Undeniably and unquestionably, the promise of Christ's return offers better in contrast to all that I described and implied above. He offers a better place, a changed state and eternity. These however, are all contingent on Christ's resurrection. And the good news is that the Resurrection has happened. It has transpired! It is a reality! And did you know this Resurrection carries not only future, but also present significance? I am reminded of candy I enjoyed as a kid called "Now and Later". Says the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 15:14, 19, "And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty... If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable" (New King James Version).
Present benefits
So going back to the aforementioned concern, what is there now for me? I declare a present sense of hope, assurance of Christ's presence, victory over sin, and in a real way, His daily provision and protection. There is no false hope. There is no need to depend on luck in "numbers" or in anything, as God is reliable and totally dependable. Now, that does not mean that one will not have obstacles, disappointments and apparent failures. One will have these, but with each challenge one is guaranteed power to face and confront with the strength Christ supplies. The same Apostle Paul, who has much to say about Resurrection, references real struggles and issues. However, I am not surprised that he finds hope in the promise of human resurrection. Consider his words in 2 Cor. 4:8,9, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." Now I do not know if one would desire to be a Christian after reading this. However, look at the blessing in verse 14: "Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you." Furthermore, in verse 17 Paul likens our situation as "light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
Future benefits
As for future benefits, Christ promises that our present state of corruption and mortality will be replaced with incorruption and immortality. Additionally, the Apostle Paul contends that even death will be destroyed. Observe this powerful statement in 1 Cor. 15:54-57: "So when this corruptible has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory'. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." What could be better? Don't you get tired of hearing about deaths every week? And it's worse when the death is of a loved one. The benefits of Christ's Resurrection that will be manifested in His return, will remedy present ills, irregularities and imbalances. What could be better? Is there any wonder that I posed the title, "Our only sure guarantee"? Bill Gaither was right when he penned, "Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone; because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives."
-- PASTOR LEONARD A. JOHNSON,
President, Atlantic Caribbean Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists

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