Jesus went to his death because he would not recant the truth that God loves all of us. He died for us. God raised him for us. God would not let the truth Jesus proclaimed stay dead. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who grew up in South Africa and was victimized by systemic apartheid, sings this truth for us: “Goodness is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death; vic’try is ours, vic’try is ours, through God who loves us” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 721). Yes. Amen. So be it. So it is. The empty tomb wins. Good Friday doesn’t. Massacres don’t.
Our grandson is a sophomore at Columbine High School this year. There is open enrollment for high school students in Littleton. He is one of nearly 1,700 who chose CHS. In a welcoming assembly each year, the principal assures parents and children, “We will take good care of your students.”
“We are Columbine,” the students roar in response. Yes, they are. Goodness is stronger than evil. The tomb is empty. Love and life win.
This message is excerpted from “The empty tomb wins” by Susie Gamelin in the April 2019 Gather magazine. Today we commemorate the Holy Innocents, martyrs.
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