Rights, Racism and Resurrection – some Easter 2021 musings
Rights
I, like many of you , was disappointed that any hope of physically gathering with our church family or even our own family indoors over the Easter Season were dashed on Monday of this week, with the latest announcement of the Provincial Health Officer … Disappointed, but not surprised, given the “numbers.”
Some argue that Christian’s rights are being trampled, and others threaten to defy the orders of the Health Officer. I am saddened by such behaviour, and fear that it hinders our Christian witness. Pursuing our “right” to assemble will appear to many to demand our rights over the welfare of neighbours who hope to find their way through this time of pandemic.
As Christians, what are our “rights,” and what rights can we demand from our government and our society? Throughout history, and today, the Christian Faith often thrives most authentically in regions where Christians have no rights – this is true in Mainland China today. As for us, while we cannot physically gather for worship indoors, we are free to share the Gospel, and will neither be jailed or worse for identifying as a Christian.
As we approach the Easter Season, I am reminded of the “rights” of Jesus our Lord. As Paul describes it in Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT):
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
How thankful we are to remember and give thanks for our Lord, who willing surrendered his rights for our behalf, and for brothers and sisters who have also surrendered their “rights” for the sake of the Gospel. As Paul writes of his rights as an apostle, “If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1 Cor 9:12).
Racism
As a Caucasian, Canadian-born child of immigrants from Scotland/England, I have never faced an act of racism, simply because of my appearance. No one has suggested to me that, “I don’t belong here,” or has asked, “Where have I come from?” Sadly, this cannot be said of some of my brothers and sisters of Asian descent.
I, like you, have been saddened by racist acts throughout North America in recent months. Though this has largely been in places far from where we live, we are in no way immune. Racist acts against our local Asian population in Greater Vancouver have risen by more than 700% over the past year.
Earlier this week, we were sickened by the report from New York, of a senior Asian woman on her way to church being severely beaten by a younger woman – and that no bystanders intervened. Then a similar incident happened in Vancouver. Then another in Richmond. Then, as I write this, the news reports the story of an Asian restaurant worker having hot coffee thrown in her face by irate Caucasian customers – who had refused to comply with COVID protocols.
We might believe that we, in our churches are “better than this.” I certainly hope so, but we are not immune, and we might even express “racist” sentiment and behaviour in ways that we are not even aware of.
Our Asian brethren feel pain at each act of “anti-Asian” racism because they identify with the victim. What happened to the one harmed, in a very real sense happened to “all” Asians. They are targeted, not because of what they have done, but simply because of who they are – or appear to be.
It is not good enough for me to simply do all that I can to ensure that churches are free of racist behaviour and sentiment. As our Asian brothers and sisters are exactly that – our brothers and sisters in Christ, in a very real sense, their pain and their grief are things that we all share – that is what we are called to. Like negligent bystanders, it is simply not good enough to say that “we were not involved in the racist acts.” We need to engage, defend and stand with our Asian brethren, and those from all nations, cultures and peoples.
Brothers and sisters, nearly half of those who read this email are of Asian descent, and I believe that I speak for all in saying that we love you in Christ, we embrace you (COVID aside), and we value your part in our lives, mission and community. I trust that we can grow in our solidarity, in our understanding and in our mutual ministry. May we truly experience the truth of 1 Cor 12:26,27 “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.“
As I reviewed papers for Ministry Credentials this week, I was struck at a statement by Pastor Phil Sung, of Grace Hanin Community Church. He wrote, “True unity comes from acknowledging our differences and understanding each other with a welcoming heart.” Well said, Phil!
I received a link this week (Thanks Tim Stewart) containing a recent posting citing NT Wright, as he speaks to Christ’s Church being composed of all nations and peoples. He writes:
The earliest Christian writings insist that in the Messiah ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek’. The book of Revelation envisages Jesus’s followers as an uncountable family from every nation, tribe, people, and language. At the climax of his greatest letter, St. Paul urges Christians to ‘welcome one another’ across all social and ethnic barriers, insisting that the church will thereby function as the advance sign of God’s coming renewal of all creation.
glennpackiam.com/post/is-the-church-too-woke-a-letter-from-n-t-wright
I invite comments and dialogue on this topic, and welcome suggestions as to how we can serve and love one another better as Christ’s Family and as a witness to our world – that’s what our shared mission of reflecting Jesus Christ is all about.
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Resurrection
An article this week stated that two thirds of Americans believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a true historical event. It is a bit of good news/bad news, as sadly, believing in the resurrection does not make a difference in the lives of many. The article states:
…I also feel heartbroken,” McLaughlin said, “because the idea that someone would say they believe Jesus actually rose from the dead but that this belief would have so little impact on their life that they weren’t even part of a church is truly tragic. This exposes the danger of ‘cultural Christianity’—the vague assent to Christian beliefs without any evidence of actual faith in Christ.”
what-do-americans-actually-believe-about-the-resurrection/
Let’s remember the words of Paul, after he speaks convincingly of Christ’s resurrection, states, “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (1 Cor: 15:58).
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BC COVID-19 Policy Updates:
This week, our BC Medical Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry reversed last week’s provision for churches to meet indoors in a limited capacity. Indoor worship gatherings of any size are not permitted through April 19.
Outdoor Services are still permitted: Dr. Bonnie Henry stated that churches can gather outdoors with groups of up to 50 people meeting outdoors, masked, social distancing and not singing or interacting covid-19-variance-outdoor-worship.pdf
While churches will need to meet online for Easter Services, there is opportunity to meet for an outdoor Easter Sunday “Sunrise Service,” a “drive in” service or an outdoor gathering.
