The resurrection of Jesus is claimed by Christians to be the turning point for the whole world, for each of us individually, and all of us together and for the whole of creation, always and everywhere. And that claim was made within 20 – 25 years of his death. So from the finality of death what this means is that the certainty of final endings is over. A new beginning is made.
Without the bodily resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, there are simply endings. Look at it through the eyes of the witnesses:
For Peter, it would be the end of any chance of forgiveness for his cowardice and betrayal.
For Mary Magdalene, it would be the end of a relationship, of a friendship, where she was valued, having importance and dignity.
For us gathering here in this extraordinary building, we would not be here because the building would never have been built were it not for the resurrection of Jesus.
It’s not just an event in history; it is the most powerful event in history: past, present and the history that we are yet to know.
And we see the reality of the resurrection around us in all corners of the world.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is among the most certain facts in history. It means eternal life, eternal hope, eternal joy because Christ is risen.
My sermon at Holy Communion at @Cburycathedral this morning:https://t.co/f9XAgC3ULU
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) April 9, 2023