Chaplain’s Chat

Good Friday can be a confronting day, especially as a public holiday, but it’s impossible to reflect on Easter without acknowledging the brutality of Jesus’ death. Films like The Passion of the Christ vividly portray the scourging, mocking and suffering described in the Bible,
prompting some to ask whether it is too graphic.

While the reality of Jesus’ suffering should not be minimised, the events of Good Friday reveal something far greater than cruelty alone. They show the extraordinary lengths our Father was willing to go to when dealing with human sin and suffering. Easter Sunday then reveals the outcome of that sacrifice — Jesus’ resurrection and the ultimate victory over death itself.

In Jesus’ death, God takes the punishment for human sin upon Himself so that we, the guilty
party, might experience freedom. The resurrection demonstrates the complete triumph of Good Friday, dismantling the power of death and evil, which are the consequences of sin.

Without the resurrection, Jesus would remain another martyr who died cruelly for a cause. Risen, He reveals God’s ultimate plan — that what was accomplished on Good Friday
was sufficient. As Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Easter is therefore a message of hope. It offers forgiveness, restoration to God and the assurance of His grace. It shows God entering fully into human suffering and transforming death into life — not only physically, but spiritually. Because of Easter, death is not the final word, and new life is available every day.

I pray that you experience the hope of Easter in 2026. If you would like to explore the Easter
story further, Queensland Baptist churches across the state would be glad to welcome you and offer support.

REVEREND DAN LYONS, Director of Mission

Read more stories from Belong: Autumn 2026 | Edition 41