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Easter message, 2014
“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” (Luke 24:2)
The tomb of Jesus Christ was empty. He was raised from the dead as he had promised. My wish is that the Joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who overcame death will be with all those who are struggling with the difficulties of life.
His Resurrection changes hopelessness into hope. I wish that the hope of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ will be with people who are facing poverty, discrimination and extreme polarization. I hope that people will comfort and encourage each other, and through Jesus Christ’s Resurrection find courage and desire even the world is full of despair.
Our society has encouraged a consumption tendency and limitless competition based on human greed. Neo-liberalism has provided the logic to justify avarice and has pushed us into unlimited competition. As we can see from the tragedy when three members of the same family committed suicide together, the result was the despair of extreme polarization. The reality of life makes us afraid and hopeless. But while we are sleeping in fear and hopelessness the stone which was covering the tomb was already rolled away and Jesus Christ had risen.
I wish that the light of resurrection will be with the people in Miryang who are resisting huge capital and authority for the home in which they have lived their whole lives. Competition and success make our society blind so that we cannot see the needs and suffering of our neighbours. I strongly wish and hope that this current society which is full of egoism and greed will change into a society full of hope and love, where people can live together in peace through the life of the resurrected Jesus Christ.
I hope Easter in this year of 2014 will be the beginning of a new period which will heal the suffering of our nation which has been divided for 70 years and lead us to harmony and peace. Instead of denigrating and taking hostile actions against each other, we must cease this and try to become a nation who lays the foundation stone of communication, harmony and peace in north-east Asia.
The church has to step forward in times of tribulation to bring about true resurrection of life with all the suffering creation of God. Unfortunately, the churches in this time try to avoid places of suffering and seek instead to be humbled. In 2014, we should believe and confess that this ordeal of suffering is God’s grace, and have the will to refine our belief taking a step forward to justice and peace.
A very small and weak bud breaks through the winter and lets the spring come. A frail life changes the world. The world will begin to change when we hold the capacity for resurrection.
Easter Day, 20th. of April 2014
National Council of Church in Korea
General Secretary Kim Young-Ju
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