I read a story about the death of a young man. It was filled with so many outrageous events that never should have happened. Each one is worthy of condemnation by a sane person, but I don’t think he was the first or the last, just the one I remember. As I recall each incident, how it was written about, and published around the world, I want to believe we learned that we are better than this and such a thing could never happen again. But I know I am wrong. Humanity is too often inhumane.

Just to think of a few of the events reminds me that many more have suffered such wrongs, some common enough that we have experienced them or known of others who endured the worst of them. His story is our story. It is one in which we share both his innocence and guilt of some of the crimes against him.

I understand him to have been a gentleman who committed no harm against anyone. Yet, he was singled out by those who held power in his own society. Have you ever seen people turn on someone who cannot defend themselves? Being different from the social standard or speaking out against powerful people can still be deadly.

When he was jumped by armed men, his friends ran off, afraid. I understand their fear, but I can’t help but think about people who are abandoned. A terrible sense of being alone and vulnerable must fill the hearts of such victims. It is said his best friend denied even knowing him. Betrayal by those we love is a deep hurt that is difficult to forgive.

Do mobs still turn on a few and beat and torture them? Are the innocent falsely accused, beaten, and tortured to death? It wasn’t that long ago when lynchings took place in our own country. One occurred not far from where I was born, just a few decades before my birth. I’ve read of people abducted and spending years imprisoned and abused, even tortured and killed. And this in a nation that strives for justice for all people. What about the dark lands around our world, where those consumed by violence and a complete disregard for human life have nothing to restrain them?

The man I read about was given a quick trial before the highest court in the country. His innocence was only a minor inconvenience; he was sentenced to be tortured to death. There was a crowd of people who cheered, believing whatever they had been told about him. He was stripped and humiliated, then hung up to die a slow death, all the while being on display.

I think you know of the man I write about. Like me, you have probably heard of others who have been abused and worse, even in our own nation. If you’re like me, you are sickened by what happened to him. If you’re like me, you are sickened by news reports of horrendous crimes against vulnerable people. If you’re like me, you find yourself filled with hate and anger against those who commit such crimes against humanity. I have caught myself crying out the equivalent of “Crucify him,” only to resentfully reproach myself. Sadly, I have come to think that if you scratch the skin of a civilized person or people, you will find the uncivilized just beneath the surface. If that is so, then is there any choice but to meet evil with evil? Is humanity doomed in its own nature?

While this writing appears to offer evidence of an inescapable evil within us, there is an alternative to the cycle of sin and death. It requires the courage of self-examination and allowing the Holy Spirit of God to walk us through the door Jesus has opened for us, so that in the mystery of his death and resurrection, we may live as one of a New Creation. Jesus has called generations of people to join with him to stand against the evil of our world. These people are his church. Have we failed him? Yes. Can we still be part of his kingdom of heaven on earth working for the redemption of God’s beloved creation? Yes.

At times, it is difficult to be part of His church; other times, it is a joy like no other. Sometimes, in God’s kingdom, we encounter Easter. Other times, it’s the pain of the Friday before or the silence of Saturday when the tomb is full. But Easter always follows and we can be a part of what God is doing in Christ in His world.

I hope you will join us Friday night as we consider what happened to Jesus so long ago. If we turn our eyes away from the cruelty of Friday, then we may miss the true joy of Easter, for God loved Jesus too much to let evil win. Out of God’s love for Jesus and humanity, He raised him from the grave in a glorious resurrection. Jesus has promised resurrection for those who follow him. The resurrection demonstrates that evil and death have been defeated. Easter assures us that in time, we will be free of both. Now that is an Easter worth celebrating!

Join us on Sunday for our Easter Sunrise Service or celebrate with us at 10:30 am. You can join us in the Sanctuary or on Facebook Live.

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Pastor Rick