Easter Believing It may come as a surprise to hear a Christian minister insist that no-one witnessed the resurrection – but I hasten to explain. Many witnessed the death of Jesus. Several watched his dead body placed in a rock-tomb and saw a large stone rolled in front as a seal. And on the third day following, some women, then later some disbelieving men, and finally a group of eleven together were initially stunned, then overwhelmingly thrilled, to see Jesus – evidently raised from death. They touched him, heard and saw him, and spoke with him. But I repeat, no-one witnessed his actual resurrection. Only a small pile of neatly folded graveclothes found in the tomb powerfully suggested what had happened. Every word of the New Testament part of the Bible was written after these events, and after the transforming experience at the festival of Pentecost when, fifty days later, the risen Jesus, by God’s Spirit, came to be present with the inner-most being of Christian believers. Still today, the same gift of a new life is given. That’s why Easter and indeed every Sunday (each ‘a little Easter’) can be such joyous occasions. Do join with us this Easter! The Rev’d Dr Richard Hines Rural Dean
