Spreading Easter Hope in a Good Friday World

Sometimes, when the going gets really rough, brave people find ways to share truth. I’m writing this Easter post on Good Friday, and Easter hope feels pretty hard to find. This is especially true if you spend any time keeping up with the news.

In that context, Diana Butler Bass did what feels like a very brave thing to me. Her Good Friday post, which you can see here, juxtaposes the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross with images taken straight from today’s news. Even though Easter has arrived, if you haven’t seen this, I encourage you to take a look—if you can bear the disturbing images.

I encourage you to look because Easter doesn’t eliminate Good Friday, it encompasses it. Easter hope surrounds all the crucifixions in our world—one deep breath, one kind word, and one gentle hand at a time.

In contrast to Jesus’ painful last breaths on the cross, we see him breathing the Spirit’s peace upon his frightened disciples as they huddle together in the upper room on Easter evening. That encounter gives them the strength to step back into the world to spread the good news in love, no matter what the Romans might do.

In contrast to the hateful words of “Crucify him!” we can speak kind words of love and companionship to those whose family members and friends are being torn from them by governmental bullies.

In contrast to the hands that have violently grabbed, bruised, manacled, dragged, and beaten other human beings, we can reach our hands out tenderly to clean wounds, feed the shell-shocked, and care for those among us who are being stalked and harassed by their fellow citizens.

I’m not saying this will be easy. Truly living Jesus’ message is not a colorful, childlike Easter egg hunt. We Americans are experiencing oppression right here at home, but we do not have to become violent in response. Remember, that’s not what Jesus did. Instead, he spread hope, even to the thief dying beside him on the cross.

What can you do to spread Easter hope today?