Knox Vancouver

Easter Hope Amidst the Ruins:
Easter in a Time of War

This Easter, the message of resurrection feels strikingly surreal. As we celebrate life emerging from the tomb, our news feeds are filled with images of death, destruction, and wars. It is easy for the darkness of modern conflicts to overshadow the light of the empty tomb. How can we find hope in Christ’s return when the world feels like it is tearing itself apart?

Reconciling today’s turmoil with resurrection is the very essence of Easter, as “birth pains” of a new, restored world, launched by the resurrection.. The resurrection was never a promise that suffering would vanish instantly, but rather an announcement that evil, violence, and death have been decisively defeated. When Jesus rose, He broke the power of darkness, proving that life is stronger than the grave. Today’s wars, as tragic as they are, do not invalidate Easter; they mean that we are still living in the “interim space” between Christ’s victory and his final return.

The Bible explicitly warns of increased conflict before Jesus returns in Birth Pains (Matthew 24:6-8): Jesus taught that wars and rumors of war would occur as part of a chaotic “pre-new-world” period. These are seen as necessary, though painful, stages before final restoration. The wars in the Middle East and beyond are more signs of the times, that bring a focus on anticipation. The promise of Jesus’ return is that he will make “all things new” and bring a final justice that earthly powers cannot. War and political solutions aside, we look to the Prince of Peace, whose kingdom will end all violence.

Easter calls us to be “children of the resurrection,” empowered by that first dawn to be ambassadors of love in a chaotic world. Refusing to be numb to suffering, instead actively praying for peace and supporting the vulnerable are the focus. We look beyond the surface of headlines to hold onto the divine promise that no night is too dark for the light of Christ to overcome.

We reconcile the chaos by resting in the victory already won, allowing the hope of Jesus’ return to drive out fear, revenge, and despair. Happy Easter. He is risen, and He is coming again.

Good Reads … books recently enjoyed by Knox readers.

Jesus and John Wayne

by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

(New York Times
Best Seller)

Red Bean Buns

by Richard Chung

A Quiet Collection of Reflections on Faith, Identity, and Ordinary Life
by Richard
(Knox Good Reads
Best Seller)

Separation of Church and Hate

by John Fugelsang

A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds
(New York Times
Best Seller)

The Bible
Says So

by Dr. Dan McClellan

What We Get Right (and Wrong) About What Scripture Really Says
(New York Times
Best Seller)