wfn.org | Lutheran Bishop of Jerusalem Sends Easter Message

[JerusalemRelOrgs@aol.com]

For information, contact:
George Awad or
Bishop Munib Younan
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem
Muristan Road, Old City, Jerusalem
Tel: 972.2.627-6111
Email: ga_elcj@netvision.net.il

JERUSALEM, March 26, 2002--  Following is the test of the Easter Message of 
Bishop Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (ELCJ): 

(The ELCJ has its headquarters in Jerusalem and is working in 
Jerusalem, Palestine, Jordan and Israel.)

Easter Message from Jerusalem 2002

        "(We are) always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the 
life of  Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies."  (II Corinthians 
4:10, NRSV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

      Grace and salaam to you from Jerusalem and from the Christians who are 
carrying in their bodies the death of Jesus, making visible the life of Jesus.

     As a Palestinian Christian I have often wondered what St. Paul's words 
mean in my life.  How do I live out the suffering, death and resurrection of 
Jesus?  I have always been taught that this happens in Baptism, and I still 
believe this is true, as we read in Romans 6.  

     I have found that many of my questions are starting to be answered in a 
deeper way as I live together with my church and my society in the 
tribulation, difficulties and crises of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  We 
feel hopelessness in the midst of dehumanization, seeing the blood of 
innocent people flowing in front of us, seeing people who are terribly burned 
from conventional and non-conventional bombs, visiting the families of people 
whose loved ones have been killed, watching funeral processions taking place 
every day, seeing many young people who don't care whether they live or die, 
meeting those who live in trauma, watching people develop psychosomatic 
illnesses. All of this creates hopelessness and a sense of loneliness.  We 
are experiencing what Jesus experienced on the cross when he cried, "My God, 
my God, why have you forsaken me?"

       When I read the passion history and see the relationships and actions 
of Pilate, Caiaphas and Herod, and read the story of Pilate, the Roman 
governor, and his relationship to Jesus and to Barabbas - it seems that I am 
seeing in our present world the same stories relived.  The pull of world 
power and material interests are more important than the lives of human 
beings.  

       In all this the words in Hebrews 4:15 bring us comfort and 
encouragement:  "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize 
with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been 'tested' 
as we are, yet without sin."

      As a human being Jesus suffered.  He knows that our suffering might 
come in unexpected ways, such as serious illnesses, broken relationships and 
other losses. He also knows that our human suffering is a reflection of the 
unjust situation in which we live.  

        In his suffering, Jesus was not abandoned.  This is a comfort to 
those who suffer, knowing that Jesus fully experienced and understands our 
sorrow and pain.  There are many ways in which human beings suffer and carry 
the cross.  There are many questions we ask, and there are many enigmas to 
which we have no easy answers.  God does not have a heavenly pharmacy in 
which just the right pills are found for every suffering person.  But we who 
suffer do know, as Thomas a Kempis has said, that if you carry the cross, the 
cross will carry you.  This is not a theory; it is the real thing.

      I understand more and more every day what it means to live the death 
and resurrection of Jesus in my body.  It is in carrying the cross, of living 
in martyria.   As a church in martyria we are called to be a servant to our 
people, not a master.  In this we follow the example of our Savior, Jesus 
Christ, who died on the cross for all people.  When we Palestinian Christians 
carry the cross and feel lonely, frustrated and abandoned, we are also 
carrying a message to the world, to you.  The message may be strange to you, 
it may be painful to you, but the message belongs to all of us.  It calls us 
to give up all hatred, all dissension, all crises and to trust in God's love 
and mercy.  

     Jesus Christ went through death to life.  His resurrection on the third 
day gives us hope.  And the more we experience the death of Jesus in our 
bodies the more the meaning of the resurrection will open up and become clear 
for us.

      The resurrection of Christ assures us that, no matter what, life is 
stronger than death.  This gives us confidence that the spiraling violence 
will not have the last word, nor will injustice, occupation, illness, broken 
relationships, or anything else which tears us down and is against God's will 
for all creation.  Even if we are crushed, the Resurrection gives us hope 
that both Palestinians and Israelis can have peace, freedom, reconciliation 
and security which will lead to the dignity and abundant life God intends for 
all people.  For Palestinian Christians the Resurrection is the only hope to 
which we cling.  

     Good Friday is the time for prayer, and we ask that you include the 
suffering people in Palestine and Israel in your prayers.  We also ask that 
offerings may be made to help the Palestinian Lutherans continue their 
mission in this land, especially now in this time of great need in our 
society.

     We also want to thank you for being partners in carrying the cross.  In 
this way you assure us and we assure ourselves that Jesus is made visible in 
our bodies.  For this reason we want to greet you from the Jerusalem of the 
Cross and say,

Al-Masih Qam - Hakkan Qam!  
Al-Masih Qam - Hakkan Qam!  
Al-Masih Qam - Hakkan Qam!  

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!
Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!
Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Your brother in Christ,

+ Bishop Dr. Munib A. Younan
   The Lutheran Bishop in Jerusalem