Editorial: A message for Easter — Darkness and uncertainty can lead to ultimate victory

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

An alarmed Mary Magdalene broke the news to her fellow disciples of Jesus Christ after finding the stone that sealed his tomb had been rolled away and it was empty. This came three days after they had seen their leader — a man of who preached tolerance and forgiveness, who committed no sins — arrested, tortured and executed.

Faithful Christians know how the story ends, and it’s what they celebrate on Easter Sunday: After enduring unjust punishment and humiliation at the hands of government officials who claimed that they were gods, Jesus proved his true divinity by rising from the dead.

Christ had warned his followers that they might not originally understand the true nature of his message until later. The kingdom he promised was not of this world, a world that was the only thing his disciples knew. There was something better waiting for them.

But first, he said, they would have to take up their own crosses, just as he did on his way to his execution. And he told them that they would endure periods of uncertainty and doubt until their faith opened their eyes and guided them.

As Christians celebrate that resurrection, even as Jews celebrate their deliverance from generations of slavery in Egypt, we are reminded that no one is promised an easy life, and that injustice can befall even the most faithful people.

Christians prepared for Easter by observing Lent, a period of sacrifice and reflection. Muslims similarly recently marked the month of Ramadan, which also featured daily prayer and fasting.

All these religious faithful have been called upon to remember that there will be periods of trial and sacrifice. The Messiah himself was arrested, tried and put to death.

That knowledge can temper our own doubts as our nation roils in political, social and economic turmoil. Our own elected officials wage trade wars, and even threaten military action, against many former allies, including our closest neighbors. Our economy shudders in response, sending prices and investment markets into seizures of uncertainty. Growing numbers of Americans are worrying about mass deportation of immigrants, including legal residents, and whether they might be the next targets.

Indeed, these are days of darkness and uncertainty. Misfortune can befall even the most innocent and law-abiding of us. But we are given hope that even the darkest days eventually will be wiped away by the light of justice.

This Easter, we can take heart in that message, and note that redemption follows trial. No victory is achieved without a test. Renewal follows destruction.

As the disciple Paul wrote to the people of Corinth, “our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness,

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Let us celebrate the Resurrection with full recognition of the darkness that preceded it, and know that even Christ’s closest followers had to endure their own days of fear and doubt.

May this Easter bring new hope to all those who observe it.

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