Easter Message from Archbishop Peter Jensen

EMBARGOED:  For print media use on Thursday 13th or Friday 14th April

This message will be sent on Betacam SP for TV news, and on CD for radio news services, for use on Friday 14th April

Easter Message from Archbishop Peter Jensen

"Easter brings before us a question that puzzles many people: "Is there life after death?'

"How ever many chocolate eggs we buy, or how ever many trips to the Show we make, we can't pretend that this great question is not essential to this holiday period.  Easter is not just a holiday; it is the time when Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  There is nothing more significant for any individual.

"When life is going well, when we are happy in our family life, our work and our lifestyle, when we are healthy and have sufficient resources to supply our needs, if not our wants, then death is the last thing we think about. But eventually comes the time when matters of life and death move more into the centre of our consciousness.

"Down through the ages, most people have believed in some sort of survival beyond the grave. For many, at best, this is an idealised version of the things they enjoyed most in this life.  For others, it has not been a subject for optimism or hope.  Rather it has inspired fear of an unknown future, or no future at all.

"The Bible tells us that the death of Jesus Christ was different, and that it inspires a new and real hope for us all.  He died a cruel death, but he was resurrected from the dead.  This does not mean he survived death as a sort of ghost.  For he was resurrected from the dead, bodily.  His grave was empty.  No point in mourners leaving flowers of gifts beside his tomb.
Later he appeared to his family and friends, and they found themselves talking to a real man, who was flesh and bones, not a ghostly spirit.

"So in this life, what hope do we have?  Our hope, our vision for our future is found in Jesus Christ.  He has defeated death in his death and resurrection.  In his death he bore the burden of our guilt and shame.  In his resurrection he offers us a true and living hope " new life with him now and for eternity.  There is no reason to fear death; we can trust Jesus with our future both in this life and the next, as much as we can trust him every day in this earthly life.  God's word tells us that there is no better hope than him!"

CONTACT: 
MARGARET RODGERS (W)  9265 1507 Mobile 0411 692 499
For Betacam SP and CD copies of the message, PH:  9265 1505