By the Reverend Canon Anne Moore

Here are a few questions to get you thinking: why is it that doctors and lawyers call what they do 'practice'? Why is it that to stop Microsoft Windows, you have to click on 'Start'? Why is store-bought lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons? How is it that the person who invests your money is called a broker? Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together? Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called ‘rush hour’? Why isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food? Why don’t you ever see the headline, "Psychic Wins Lottery"? Why are there braille labels at drive-up ATMs?

Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ such a big deal? Why do some Christians give up everything they have in order to follow Him? And why are followers of Jesus willing to die rather than deny their faith in Him?

The first questions are about meanings of words and interesting ideas; the second ones ought to lead us to examine our own faith. Can you answer them for yourself? If someone sincerely asked you those questions, could you give a heart-felt and honest response? Why, or why not?

We are about to mark the greatest event since the creation of the world: the annual day of celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. This is a day that changed the course of human history; this is a day that changed believers into followers, and followers into martyrs. Jesus is not a dead figure from ancient history. He is alive! He is there for anyone who turns to Him, and He offers the gift of eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. We cannot save ourselves from the devastations and chaos of our world; nor can we rescue ourselves from our fear, anger or emptiness inside. We can’t remove the guilt that weighs on our conscience; we can’t forgive our own sins. But Jesus can! He can give us hope because He is the hope: the hope of eternal life; and the hope of meaningful, abundant life today.

If you haven’t done so already, you can put your trust in Him this very moment. Jesus loves you, and longs to show that love to you, love that will last into eternity.

May God bless you in a powerful way!