Dear Editor,

Despite a move towards secularism over the years Jamaica still maintains a strong Judeo-Christian culture in which Jamaicans of all walks of life traditionally attend church at least twice per year — Easter and Christmas Sundays.

Easter is often a time of personal reflection, as well as spiritual rebirth, and bears great significance for Christians worldwide. With Easter behind us it’s probably a good time to reflect a bit on the true meaning of Easter, which is the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

I listened to an Easter Sunday sermon by Pastor Roy Notice. The theme was ‘The irresistible message of the empty grave’. According to Pastor Notice, there are four critical messages of the empty tomb which we must consider and bear in mind at all times.

In the first instance, the empty tomb conquers our doubts and fears as Christians and reinforces in us that death will not have the final say. Jesus Christ overcame the grave and the empty tomb, and by his resurrection we too have that hope that those of us who die in Christ will also triumph over death and the grave.

Secondly, the empty tomb conveys the truth that evil will not win. The real power standing on resurrection power does not negotiate with evil. There is no compromise or middle ground once you are serving the true and living God. The

Bible says it best; greater is he that is within us than he that is in the world. We need to spend more time in the word of God to tend to our daily spiritual needs.

The third message of the empty tomb is that it confirms the message that the word of God is true. Jesus is the personification of the resurrection.

Finally, the message of the empty tomb serves as a platform on which we should continue the message of Jesus Christ. As Christians we are empowered and tasked with continuing to spread the word of the Gospel. According to Joshua 1:9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

As we continue to reflect on the true meaning and message of the Easter story, let us move beyond the secularism in a spirit of respect. Let us revisit our values and attitudes in showing acts of kindness one to another. Let us redouble our efforts and commit to spending some quality time studying the word of God to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15).

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

@WayneCamo