This Easter many Church services were to have taken place, but they have had to be cancelled. They would have been almost apolitical in content.

Yet, Jesus life, especially during Easter week, death and resurrection were deeply political. He was given, and accepted all the titles of Government – king of the Jews, Messiah, Son of David, Son of Man and Son of God. He rode into Jerusalem in an obvious political act. He converted the chief Roman Tax collector. He overturned the central tax collection system of the Jews, dominated what was effectively the Jewish Parliament for a week with crowds round him, and critiqued all the main parties. The governing group were clear he had to be eliminated for the sake of national politics, or more accurately themselves. He gave clear principles of politics as service, politics as truth and justice based, peace and non-violence, the absence of control and power over people, reconciliation across race and with enemies, and practising what you preach. He asked us to think ahead. His arrest, and trial, were politically orchestrated, and unjust. He met the three biggest politicians of the time – Herod Antipas, the High Priest and Pilate. His death was a Roman crucifixion, designed to keep conquered people servile. He warned about the coming destruction of Jerusalem. On the cross he forgave the ignorance and evil that led to his death. His tomb was unsuccessfully guarded by soldiers and the resurrection was a threat to the Jewish leaders and the failure of their system of control, as it has threatened most regimes through history with goodness, peace and justice. His only sword is the words from his mouth and he is the lamb on the throne. This, and much, much more.

Perhaps, this Easter you can reflect on the political part of your faith and how you can truly be a follower of Jesus in this area too. The need for this thought and obedience round the world is urgent.