Easter message: Mission begins with Resurrection

2025 Easter message

The Resurrection of Jesus is undoubtedly a milestone of renewal and victory, symbolizing the triumph of life over death. In John 20:1–18, we not only encounter the revelation of eternal life but also an urgent call to action, transformation, and inclusion. 

Easter, like the story of the Exodus, is a crossing, a sending, a testimony that God is with the crucified, raising them up and calling them to a new life. This event is not limited to personal renewal; it is a missionary dynamic that challenges us to live in community, to walk towards others and to bring the good news of hope and salvation.

The Resurrection account, especially when we see Mary Magdalene, the first to witness and announce the good news, teaches us something essential about Jesus’ plan for humanity: everyone is important and can contribute with her or his gifts. Here, the central role of women as disciples of Jesus is clearly emphasized. Mary is not only the first to see the risen Lord, but she is also the first to be sent to share this transformative truth. Here, we clearly see the inclusion and the vital role of all people in the testimony of faith. 

Mary Magdalene, with her courage and boldness, is sent to deliver the message, not to remain in a passive state of worship. She is called to go, to live faith on the path, to follow Christ, and to be a witness to all people. This sending, this call to missionary action, is central to Easter. 

Easter is not just a moment of emotion, but an invitation for the active participation of all, irrespective of gender or generation, in the mission of Christ. It challenges us to ensure that all people, from the youngest to the oldest, have a voice, space and responsibility in decision-making places, in actions of care and transformation. 

The Resurrection of Christ, therefore, invites us to build a more just community, where each generation, with its wisdom and energy, contributes to a more compassionate and inclusive world. “I have seen the Lord!” Mary declares, and her proclamation is not only a shout of joy but also a call for all to unite on the path of life, especially towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, the forgotten, the oppressed. 

The message of Easter is revolutionary and transformative, a sign of hope. It doesn’t allow us to remain idle; it drives us to walk with others, to build a community that reflects the justice, mercy, and hope of Christ and to boldly live the mission of bringing life where there is death and suffering. 

By Ms Isabella Reimann Gnas

LWF Vice-President for Latin America and the Caribbean. She works as a lawyer and represents the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil on the LWF Council.