Easter Message from Bob Duncan, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America

“Go make the tomb secure…”

Pilate invites Jerusalem’s leaders to “secure” the tomb of Jesus [Mt.27.62-66].  They “secure” the tomb with a stone, sealant and soldiers.  As if these could contain our Lord…  Their efforts prove inadequate.  Their materials and means turn out to be no match for the One through whom all things were made.

In this first year of the life of the Anglican Church in North America we have so much for which to give thanks.  First and foremost is the cross of Jesus Christ, by which all previous securities are undone, and life comes by death.

There are many tombs which others have tried to “secure” with us inside.  There are also some tombs in which we have been tempted to “secure” ourselves.  None of these tombs hold when Jesus is there.

They can take our buildings and our assets here at home.  They can even take our lives, as in far-flung places like Nigeria and Sudan and Indonesia   But Jesus is with all those who embrace Him above all else, who follow Him to – and through – whatever crosses are asked.

For us as faithful Anglican Christians the efforts by others to “secure” our tombs have failed miserably, just as they did with the One we call on as Lord and Savior.  There has been suffering and loss, pain and grief, anxiety and fear – these things have been very real, and demanded our very best efforts, as well as the grace of the Holy Spirit in abundance.  “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” [1 Cor.15.57].

As I look across the Anglican Church in North America this Easter – seeing its life, its vitality, its healing, its unity, its compassion, its forgiveness, its renewal, its multiplication and growth, its international partners, its clear sense of mission, its appreciation of the transforming love of Jesus Christ – I think I am understanding the mystery and the truth of Easter better than I ever have before.  I hope you and yours are too.  With Jesus it is just not possible to “secure” any tomb.  Easter joy and love to all.

The Most Reverend Robert William Duncan, D.D.
Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America
Anglican Bishop of Pittsburgh

Easter, A.D. 2010

From the Morning Scriptures

My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees.What I see brings grief to my soul because of all the women of my city. Those who were my enemies without cause hunted me like a bird. They tried to end my life in a pit and threw stones at me; the waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to perish. I called on your name, LORD, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life.

—Lamentations 3:49-58

As believers who have the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, it is easy for us to miss the sense of grief, shock, loss, and despair Jesus’ disciples must have felt that first Holy Saturday. Even though Jesus had told them what was going to happen, including his resurrection, they did not know or understand how his death was going to play out. All they knew was that they had buried him and he was dead.

Likewise with us as we live our lives from day to day. We do not know how our lives are going to play out and sometimes we can fall into despair because it feels like we are all alone. We don’t have the benefit of 20-20 hindsight or of knowing our future. But Holy Saturday reminds us that even though we do not know what is in our future, our future is secure because we are God’s children. Come what may, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. We know that the Resurrection is coming tomorrow and by it, God’s promises to us in Jesus Christ are true. We can stake our very lives on it and take hope, even in the midst of our darkness.

Do you have this kind of hope?