IN today’s world we rather assume that no movement can be secret, which is why it seems extraordinary that it has taken so long to find out what has happened to Malaysian Airlines MH370.

The world is curious to know what happened to the plane and the hearts of all of us have gone out to the relatives of those on that ill-fated flight who are desperate to know what has happened to their loved ones.

However, before the black box has been found, one thing is pretty certain. The cruel truth is that all those on board have almost certainly died. Understandably, their relatives want to know exactly how and when – and why. And perhaps they are also asking what happened to them after they died?

The short answer to that is that nobody knows. However, Christians believe that, because of the resurrection of Jesus, death is not the end. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we too can be raised from the dead if we wish to accept God’s invitation to eternal life through Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus, which we celebrate at Easter, can seem unbelievable. It always has.

In fact, it doesn’t make any sense from the point of view of any worldview except the one of which it is the basis.

For two thousand years, though, it has given millions of people all over the world a kind of hope which nothing else can offer.

There are those who dismiss this hope as ‘pie in the sky when you die’ but that is to miss the point. The resurrection does hold out a promise for the future but that promise can give hope and therefore change lives in the here and now.

If you are confident that everything you do has a consequence way beyond the present,  if you believe that you have an eternal future, it can enable you to rejoice in and enjoy life in all its fullness, in all its abundance – which is what Jesus said he wanted for everyone.

If you are able to do that you will have a really happy Easter. And a joyful life.
Happy Easter.

The Rt Revd Dr John Inge