Bishop’s Easter Message – Part 1 (Sunday, April 5, 2026)

Part 1 of the Bishop’s Easter Message

Jesus lives…now what?

We arrive again at that point in the church’s liturgical year, Easter Sunday, when we heighten our celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time of alleluias, bright colours, joyful music, and gorgeous flowers. However, our celebrations should not stop with our decorations and shouts of praise.

The resurrection is about our salvation, being set free from sin and the hope of eternal life in Christ. In many congregations on the first Sunday of Easter, members will be invited to affirm their commitment to Christ in renewing their baptismal vows. Through this act, we promise to be steadfast in the mission of Christ by resisting evil, seeking justice and loving our neighbour.

(See the Easter Vigil, CPWI pages 264-267)

A central feature of the post-resurrection stories is that the risen Christ, before his ascension, summons the disciples to be active in his name. Across the Gospels, Christ consistently sends his followers outward. In Matthew, Jesus charged his disciples, in the words of the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations (28:19). In Mark, his message is “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (16:15). The risen Christ tells them in Luke that they are witnesses to the events that took place. (24: 47-48) In John’s account, Jesus declares, “As the Father has sent me so I send you.” (20:21) There is a clear and strong emphasis for the disciples to continue the work of engaging the world in the name of Christ. In every account, the appearance of the risen Christ leads to responsibility.

The Rt. Rev. Leon Golding
Bishop, of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands