Letter from the Vicarage

April 2008

Dear Friends,

Apparently this year is the earliest Easter in living memory. Only the most elderly in our village have ever seen it this early (you need to be ninety-five years old or above!). The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be in the year 2228, two hundred and twenty years from now. The next time it will be a day earlier (March 22) will be in the year 2285 (two hundred and seventy-seven years from now). So none of us will ever experience an earlier Easter!

Despite its early arrival, Easter is a time of optimism and hope. The days get longer and the gardens start becoming more colourful. All of this is in tune with the Easter theme of resurrection.

For me belief in the resurrection of Christ is at the heart of my faith. I believe that on the first Easter morning Christ’s tomb was empty. There are three positive pieces of evidence that convince me that it was an historical event.

Firstly there is the empty tomb. The Roman authorities and the religious leaders all wanted to prevent the spread of Christianity. By producing the body of Christ the central Christian claim would have been demolished. Nearly all the disciples died for their belief in the resurrection so it is improbable that they would have stolen the body.

Secondly, there is the change that took place in the disciples. A ramshackle group of frightened disciples were transformed, almost over night, into fearless preachers and evangelists who changed the course of world history. A few weeks after denying Christ, Peter is speaking before the Sanhedrin proclaiming the resurrection.

Thirdly, there is the existence of the Church. Rather than fading away when its founder was tried as a criminal and executed with thieves, Christianity springs into life. Within two months of the crucifixion thousands of people had become Christians.

For me only the bodily resurrection of Christ can make sense of the events surrounding that first Easter Sunday. It is this belief that is the foundation of Christianity. Whatever you make of the Christian claim why not look into the evidence yourself? In the autumn we will be running another Alpha course which provides opportunities to discuss issues like this — why not come along?

Happy Easter.

Mark

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