On this world that’s overwhelmed with strife, division and evil, does Easter matter? We’re surrounded by the Good Friday drama, as nations are torn in painful schism, as human rights violations destroy the lives of harmless individuals world wide.
On this world filled with brutal blockades threatening the very existence of harmless human beings, does it make a distinction that one Sunday morning way back a stone was rolled away from a tomb? That love triumphed over hate, good over evil, gentle over darkness, life over loss of life?
The previous three months have been attempting occasions for the individuals of Artsakh and Armenia. They’ve suffered sufficient, and they’re craving for the restoration of regular life. Since December 12, 2022, the Lachin Hall, the one highway main out and in of Artsakh, has been blocked off by Azerbaijan, leaving 120,000 Armenians trapped in Artsakh. The blockade has brought about shortages of electrical energy and fuel, drugs and meals. It has affected tons of of separated households.
Along with this man-made catastrophe, the earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria have devastated many individuals, together with fellow Armenians.
Within the wake of those heart-rending realities, does Easter matter? Does Easter make any distinction within the lives of individuals? Greater than ever, it does. The Easter message is one in all hope. It tells Christian believers to not despair when their life plans are disrupted and their goals are shattered as a result of God remains to be in cost. We’re Easter individuals, as a result of we all know our Lord is victorious and has given us the power, energy and can to stay triumphantly. The enjoyment of our Easter celebration is greater than a passing occasion. It’s symbolic of the enjoyment of being with a Risen Savior and the promise of the novelty of life He brings.
The Bible and the historical past of the Christian church inform us that Christians have dared to have hope within the face of discouraging details, not as a result of they hoped that issues would get higher however as a result of they believed God was at work even in depressions and sufferings. St. Paul stated in his Epistle to the Romans: “We rejoice in our sufferings, as a result of we all know that struggling produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope. And hope doesn’t disappoint us, as a result of God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us” (Romans 5:3-5).
Neither human resilience, nor constructive considering—or Pollyanna-type optimism—can engender actual and enduring hope. Solely God does. It’s He Who permits us to hope within the face of obvious hopelessness. Once we style defeat and hopelessness, He provides us hope to endure. Once we are bewildered, He’s our hope for steerage. Once we are bruised, He’s our hope for therapeutic. Once we are bereaved, He’s our hope for solace.
That is true on a person in addition to nationwide stage. How else can one clarify the survival and enduring energy of the Armenian individuals within the face of all evil designs that have been forged towards them? Regardless of the horrors which were endured by the Armenian generations of the previous, regardless of the darkness of the Armenian Genocide, regardless of the demonic forces that sought the destruction of our individuals, by some means the Christian hope survives; it nourishes and retains us. The Bible says Christian hope doesn’t depend upon our state of feeling. It’s God’s reward. It by no means disappoints (Romans 5:5). It’s steadfast (1 Thess. 1:3).
We Armenians stay in Christian hope due to what God has finished in Christ by His resurrection. Christ lives and reigns triumphantly. As a result of He’s a triumphant Lord, those that consider in Him shall additionally stay victorious lives. That is the message of Easter and Christian hope. Sure, Christians stay within the current with confidence and face the long run with braveness.
Kristos haryav ee merelotz.
Orhnyal eh harootyunen Kristosi.
Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian
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