Easter messages: Perth’s religious leaders share words of wisdom as Christians mark resurrection of Jesus

Each year the celebration of Easter is, for Christians, one of life and hope. Jesus Christ, the “prince of peace”, was destroyed by those who were affronted by His teachings and shamed by His goodness. Those teachings, and that goodness, found their source in His determination to be faithful to all God was asking of Him. This led to His death, but the celebration of Easter proclaims that ultimately that fidelity led to new life: for Him, and for all who willingly receive that gift from Him. In the columns of our newspapers, in the nightly television news, and in so many other ways, we are confronted daily by the very opposite of goodness, of fidelity and of peace. As Pope Francis has noted, the world is gradually being engulfed by a new kind of “world war”. The brutal attacks against Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza are causing unimaginable suffering and death in the very lands where Jesus walked and taught; the increasingly violent and destructive war in Ukraine; the civil war unfolding in Sudan; the brutal oppression experienced by the people of Myanmar. This depressing list does not exhaust the reality of the violence, conflict, and destruction which marks our contemporary world. As we struggle to know how to respond to all this, and indeed feel helpless to do anything constructive, the example of Jesus offers a way forward. Fidelity to the commitments we have made, simple acts of goodness and kindness to those we encounter each day, an openness to both give and receive forgiveness, and a rejection of the impulse to criticise and condemn — all these, so obvious in the life and teaching of Jesus, have the power to transform our lives and heal our relationships. In one sense, in the face of the challenges the world is facing, they may seem trivial. But peace in the world, peace in our country, and peace in our family, must begin somewhere. As a popular song puts it, “Let there be peace on Earth — and let it begin with me”. Most Rev. Timothy Costelloe SDB, Catholic Archbishop of Perth We all love the story of an underdog who, against all odds, emerges victorious after previous failure. Such an underdog eventually becomes the hero to be admired. Deep down, we want to be heroic, and we want others to identify us as heroic. However, the bad news is whatever good there may be in our lives, we cannot be the heroes we aspire to be because we have rejected our Creator to pursue our own ways. Cut off from the source of life, we experience death — both physical and spiritual — as an inevitable consequence. (See Romans 6, verse 23). The human default position is not to worship God but to promote ourselves. We would like God to allow us to continue to live independently and apart from Him — but without God’s active presence, we can never be the people we were created to be. Our desire to be heroic will forever remain unfulfilled. The good news of Easter played out in the terrible events of Good Friday, and it is that God has come to us in Christ to restore our broken relationship. Jesus on the cross takes upon Himself the disobedience and dishonour we have shown towards God and others. When we put our trust in Him, an exchange takes place — our sin for his righteousness — and He suffers so we can be free. That is why Good Friday, even though it is a terrible day for Jesus — is called “Good” Friday. King David wrote: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1). David knew he had sinned, but He also knew God was merciful. That is the confidence we can have at Easter — yes, we have all sinned, but mercy has come to us from God through Christ. As you experience Easter this year, consider our human situation. Are you in need of forgiveness for sin? Then look to Jesus, who carried our sins on Good Friday and was raised to new life on Easter Sunday. This is the greatest underdog story of them all! Reverend Victor Owuor, director of ministries, Baptist Churches Western Australia What word comes to mind when you reflect on the last year? To me, it’s instability. The conflict in Gaza, continuing war in Ukraine and, closer to home, cost of living and housing pressures have destabilised many. However, in the midst of this, Easter reminds us there is hope and stability in the love of Jesus Christ. As Easter approaches, let us take a moment to reflect on the profound significance of this holiday. To Christians all over the world, Easter is a time when we remember God’s sacrificial love for all mankind. It’s when we remember Jesus, who died on a cross so that those who are far from God can be reunited with his family. It’s a time when we celebrate the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. What I love most about Easter is that the story doesn’t end with his death, but rather with resurrection power. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, making a way for the impossible to become possible for all who believe in Him. Easter is a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for change and a better future. That God is not far away and that those who call on His name will be saved. Just as Jesus emerged from the tomb, so too can we rise above our challenges and find new life and purpose in Him. May this Easter season fill your heart with joy, your soul with peace, and your life with renewed hope. John 3, verse 16 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Happy Easter! Pastor Joel Chelliah, State President of Australian Christian Churches WA and Senior Pastor of Centrepoint Church Someone close to me was widowed with two young children when she was in her 20s. It made talk of God unconvincing for her. We look at the world and see an abundance of suffering. For many, it proves God doesn’t exist. The story of Jesus, especially the Easter story, invites us to think again. Paul Claudel is reported to have said, “God did not come to do away with suffering; He did not even come to explain it. He came to fill it with his presence.” What could that mean? How does it help? For those who have experienced or are enduring great suffering, words often mean little, and attempts at explanation may be offensive. However, being with a fellow sufferer may allow us to be real and feel comfort, even if neither we, nor they, have any words. We don’t have to pretend or tell the whole story. Their being with us may be healing. Support groups often help because they offer such a caring presence of people who understand. One biblical expression was that in Jesus the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. The Easter story tells of Jesus’ suffering and abandonment, being betrayed by one close to Him, and dying. It tells of God entering human suffering, into the pain of the world. It does not speak of one who was cushioned from the worst of human experience. In Jesus Christ, God shares human struggles and catastrophes. Moments of abandonment; grief after a death; profound confusion; facing impossible odds or limited time; and experiences of great injustice may leave us feeling completely alone. Christians speak of God by speaking of Jesus, who was a fellow sufferer. When He died, he cried “why?” Yet He also prayed that those who caused his suffering would be forgiven. This story gives no easy answers. Easter challenges us to face such things head-on. Its story of suffering may teach us in unexpected ways. Christians mark Easter every year because of their faith that it reveals the great love of God and God’s determination not to allow evil to have the final word. The story also moves on to point to a great mystery: God raised Jesus from death to a new way of being, which we call eternal life. Rachel Held Evans (1981-2019) was a Christian of deep integrity who did not flinch from what was challenging and difficult. She would not give easy answers where there are none. She also died young. She said: “I am a Christian because the story of Jesus is the story I’m willing to risk being wrong about.” Amen to that. Rev Dr Ian Tozer, moderator of the Uniting Church in Western Australia Last year, two major Australian supermarkets decided to break with tradition by making hot cross buns available from Boxing Day. The spiced fruity treat, customarily eaten at Easter time, has its origins in the Christian commemoration of Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday. Besides missing the point, the decision to remove hot cross buns from their Christian context is indicative of the fact that for many Australians today, Good Friday and Easter Sunday hold little religious significance. I am aware that are various reasons for why this is the case, and I suspect the counter-cultural message of the cross is one of them. For Christians, no aspect of human life is devoid of God’s grace and presence — not even suffering or death, evidenced by Jesus’ own crucifixion. As followers of Christ, we are called to inhabit those places where He is most needed, and that often means accompanying and advocating for those burdened by the cross of poverty, illness, rejection, oppression and conflict. It is not an easy or popular thing to do, but it is what God does. In Jesus, we discover that God is not repelled by the sight or cries of human suffering, but runs towards them with love — and in every encounter of this love, we glimpse the power of His resurrection. As we approach Easter Sunday, it is my hope and prayer that, whatever your circumstances might be, you may know and feel this love and power in your life. The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO, Anglican Archbishop of Perth