WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES EASTER MESSAGE: A MESSAGE OF LIFE, HOPE, AND LOVE FROM THE EMPTY TOMB

When we look around the world today, we see so much pain, suffering, and death," notes the message at the gloomy beginning. "We become accustomed to violence and death as if these were normal experiences in life.” During Lent, we are reminded of the brutal and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. "Some of his disciples and many of his followers, including his family and friends, thought it would all end there—with Jesus dead," the message continued. "They forgot Jesus' promise that, on the third day, he would rise again.” An empty grave is a sign of life, hope, and love. "This tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ," notes the message. "In every situation of suffering and death today, let us be reminded that the Risen Lord gave us life, hope, and love"