READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l The Arab Spring uprising started in 2010, when a poor fruit-seller called Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest against all the injustices he had experienced. This uprising eventually fizzled and nothing seemed to have changed. We see scenarios of evil and power prevailing over poor victims throughout the world today, from Myanmar to Sudan, from Ukraine to the Middle East. We respond with anger against innocent victims’ suffering. We protest that such situations are not right! But we know that in this world, injustice continue. Oppressive authorities continue, unafraid of any consequences. Even in our nation, we may face wrongs and unfairness in our workplaces, schools and even homes. We may have stood up for the truth but still see wrongs being perpetuated and unscrupulous people getting away with their words and actions. We may fall into despair and feel that that is the way things are and nothing will change. We may become cynical and even feel that it is normal to deceive, flatter, and behave as the world does. Our idealism may be replaced by hopelessness and resignation.
Compared to all the evil that the world has experienced since the beginning of time, none is greater than what happened on Good Friday. Our mighty Creator God became man to be with us and to save us. What was our response? We welcomed Him with rejection, torture and the worst possible death on the cross. This is the greatest wrong that could have happened. The events on Good Friday shocked the heavenly realm as they witnessed how the created beings killed their Creator God. And there seemed to be no consequences for the perpetrators who carried on with their lives.
But that wasn’t the end. After the crucifixion, the Romans sealed the tomb and placed a guard by it. The power of the empire was put in place. On Easter Sunday, the two Mary’s experienced an earthquake and the stone over the tomb was rolled back by angels. This was not to “release” Jesus for He had already risen. Rather, the angels wanted the ladies to see that the tomb was empty. The Resurrection of Jesus is God’s “No!” to all the evil and wrong in the world. God broke His silence during Good Friday and Holy Saturday. On Easter Sunday, God spoke by raising Jesus from the dead. Through this act, God’s heart is revealed. The Resurrection is God’s emphatic word to the world that evil will not prevail. Nothing and no one can defeat God. Through the Resurrection, we have a foretaste of the end of history. God will complete His victory when Jesus returns again as sovereign King. He will vindicate the righteous and judge the evil doers.
So what stops us from despair and cynicism? How can we continue standing up for what is right and confront the wrong? Through the Resurrection, God has said “No!” to all wrongs. We too can do so. Even if nothing seems to have changed, we know the final outcome. Jesus will come again in final victory.
May the Resurrection save us from despair and give us courage to be faithful witnesses of Jesus. With our Heavenly Father, let us say “No!” to all the evil in the world.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Do you agree that our experience of injustice can easily lead us into despair and cynicism? Have you personally become so discouraged that you have fallen into these states?
- Good Friday is the worst instance of injustice our world has ever seen. Have you thought of Good Friday in that way before? How do you think the disciples of Jesus felt as their master was arrested, tortured, humiliated and murdered?
- Easter Sunday is God’s “No!” to all that is wrong with our world. How does the resurrection of Jesus encourage you to confront the injustice and evil of our time? What are some small steps you will take this coming week?
