Dear sisters and brothers,

In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul recounts the testimony of Christ’s resurrection:  

„I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-10)

Paul lists a long series of witnesses here. Peter and the apostles, then more than five hundred of the first Christians, James, the brother of Jesus, and the leaders of the early church. At the end of this extensive list stands Paul himself. He says of himself that he is not worthy of being included here, because he had persecuted the first Christian congregation. But then he states: “By the grace of God I am what I am.”  

All those listed here as witnesses to the Risen One have their unique story with Jesus: Peter, who had betrayed Jesus the very night before his crucifixion. The disciples, who had hidden in Galilee, downcast and hopeless, after the crucifixion. The members of the first church in Jerusalem, who were persecuted for their faith. And Paul, who only became a follower of Jesus after his encounter with the Risen One. The resurrection of Christ has fundamentally changed the lives of all these people. These are liberated people whom we encounter here. Liberated from depression, brought out of the shell of fear into which they had retreated. These are people who have tasted and seen how gracious the Lord is, who live and celebrate together.

“By the grace of God, I am what I am,” writes Paul. Our world today also needs people who carry the message of liberation, who do not allow themselves to be discouraged by war and hardship, who are ambassadors of hope. In EMS, we meet many such people. These days, my thoughts turn to our brothers and sisters in the Middle East who, despite the war and violence, seek to be bridge-builders of reconciliation between peoples. I am thinking of the Moravian Church congregations in South Africa, which, despite difficult external circumstances, remain places of shelter. I am thinking of our brothers and sisters in India who share Christ’s message with people who are repeatedly excluded from society, telling them: “By God’s grace, you are what you are!” And I could tell you many more examples from the EMS member churches and member associations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.  

“By the grace of God, we are what we are.” Let us pass on this message and become ambassadors of hope for others: Christ is risen! He is truly risen! And we with him.

I wish you a blessed Easter!

Rev. Dr. Dieter Heidtmann 
General Secretary