“We hold these truths to be self-evident,” The Declaration of Independence begins. But are equality and rights self-evident? Modern societies try to underpin human dignity and equal rights in human superiority or collective knowledge “everyone knows,” but lack philosophical integrity. Christianity claims all humans have equal and eternal significance and worth from conception to natural death because we are made in the image of God. This has implications for our view of ourselves, our view of all others and impels us to radical concern for the vulnerable and voiceless.

In our modern culture, we determine what is best, right and wrong, who we are and how to live on our own. Shaped by many influences and assumptions, we lean on ourselves to decide. We have become our own authorities. But the Christian view is that God the Creator, designed the universe and called us into existence, and he is the one we are to live under; God is the authority of all that is right and good and true about life and the world.

In the vastness of the universe, earth is so small, and we are even smaller. Do we matter? Does life have meaning? From reason and empirical evidence alone, no, we do not. But Christianity and Genesis 1 claim there is a creator, and there is intention and meaning. And the meaning is found in knowing God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The one God in three persons, who in eternal loving communion gives birth to creation to share in his loving joy and invite us into a relationship.

The view of God as one who is wholly other and holy righteous judge are true–but God is also the one primarily revealed to us in Jesus. In his post-resurrection appearance to the disciples on the beach in Galilee, we see Jesus as the risen Lord who is playful, joyful, fun. When we don’t see the full personality of Jesus, we risk missing out on all that God is inviting us to in life.

On the evening of that first Easter Sunday, the disciples are locked in the upper room. Jesus, the risen Lord, shows up physically. He commissions them to live out God’s post-Resurrection purpose for them and he breathes on them to bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit. In a scene that recalls Genesis 1-2, Jesus is dong an act of new-creation among them and calls them and us to live out of that new-creation.

Mary Magdalene blinded by grief and fear cannot see the risen Jesus right before her eyes. But when Jesus calls her by name, “Mary” – she believes. Jesus is calling her into her true identity – Mary, the courageous and faithful, the first Christian and witness to the Resurrection.

Early in the morning three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb–but the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty! The physical resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian gospel. When all the evidence is examined and the impact that first Easter had on the world, we find the Resurrection of Jesus is Plausible, Powerful and Personal.

On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prays for his disciples and us. In the prayer he gives insight into the nature of the love of God in the Trinity. He prays that his disciples would experience and share this love to accomplish God’s purposes in creation.

Jesus told his disciples you will be hated and persecuted on account of my name. But he also encouraged them to take heart and not lose faith, because He had overcome the world.