What do you see?

  We all know that if any group of people observe the same event, what they actually see and remember will vary according to where they were standing, their angle and field of vision, and so on.  That is why the football referee is always taken to task by the crowd.   “How come we saw the player offside and he didn't?” we cry.  It's all a matter of perspective.

  I wonder what the witnesses to Jesus’ crucifixion saw?  Each had their own unique perspective that will have influenced their understanding and view of events. 

  For the disciples, it was a heart-rending, painful travesty of justice that their leader and teacher should endure such suffering and die in such a painful and ignominious way.  It seemed the end of their hopes and dreams.

  For the Sanhedrin, the religious court, it was a relief to see the end of this increasingly troublesome preacher who spoke of God's Kingdom here on earth and who was being proclaimed to be the Messiah.  For Pontius Pilate it was a chance to ‘keep the natives happy’.

  For the crowd who witnessed the journey to Golgotha, perhaps it was just another brutal public spectacle - horrible but compelling - reminding them of  the Roman authorities’ power over them.

  For the centurion standing at the foot of the cross, it was a moment of revelation as, in Jesus, he saw God, and exclaimed: “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matt 27:54)

  Then, on the third day, when the women went to the tomb, what did they see?

  As they looked at the empty tomb, they saw the scene of a crime - a grave robbing incident.  They saw evidence of a plot to further undermine Jesus and his teaching by stealing his body.  Only later did they see the truth: the Risen Jesus who had overcome evil and even death itself.

  What do we see as we look at the Easter story from our own 21st century perspective?

  Do we see the death of a vulnerable victim or the love that God has for us expressed in the sacrifice of his only Son for our forgiveness?

  Do we see the crucifixion of Jesus as the painful end of a promising career of someone whose teaching could change the world, or do we see in the empty tomb not an end but a new beginning for the life of the world in which evil is defeated and the hope of eternal life is made real?

  Do we see the events of Easter as something of a historical curiosity, or do we see that this is a life changing experience for each one of us as we are confronted with the power and love of God that is freely offered to us? 

  What do you see as you look at Easter? Take the opportunity this year to take a fresh look at the Easter Message and let God reach you through it.

by Graham Clarke.