ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's Easter Message 2008
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's Easter
Message 2008
"For you have died, your life
is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is
revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory."
(Colossians 3:3-4)
"You have died." The words resonate because this world's
violence and suffering--so pervasive, so needless, so
relentless--haunt every human community and life. Where death
rules, hope lies entombed in endless grief.
Another death--the crucifixion of Jesus--changed everything. God
is not hidden, but present through suffering, sorrow, and death.
Jesus is God's resounding "yes!" to the steadfastness of God's
forgiving love, embodied on a cross.
The death of Jesus shows no partiality. It was for all nations
and all people--for them, for you, for me. Your life is now with
Christ. In baptism you have died. Hidden with Christ, no longer
entombed in grief, your life carries the promise of glory.
From that first day of resurrection onward, God has been raising
up messengers of salvation, heralds of peace, and testifiers of
the promised glory. You are a witness of the hope to come. Quite
simply, Christ is your life, my life, our life. You have no
other than this One who lives resurrected in you.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America