Death and Resurrection: An Abolitionist View

Today till Sunday Christians from all around the world and all walks of life will flock to churches and places of worship to commemorate the most monumental moment to ever take place in the history of planet Earth: the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth: the Son of God.

Undoubtedly Easter weekend means a lot of things to lots of people. For some, it is a time to go to church, listen to a sermon, and have lunch with family. For devout Christians, Easter weekend is rightly remembered as the moment our sins were forgiven and we became justified in the eyes of God. Still others know it simply as a time that they get to gather colored eggs, wear bright clothes and eat lots of chocolate bunnies.

For the Christian abolitionist however, the death and resurrection of Christ holds an additional meaning even beyond forgiveness, justification, Sunday church and Easter eggs. For the Christian abolitionist, the death and resurrection of Christ means victory.

The other day after explaining the magnitude of the modern day slave trade and the challenges that modern day abolitionists face, an individual remarked, "How do you do it? How do you stay positive in the face of such a great evil as slavery? How do you remain motivated and not just give up?". "Simple," I responded, "we already have victory."

What specifically transpired in the three days between Christ's death and resurrection cannot be sure. However, we do know from scripture that a struggle took place and in it Christ proclaimed victory over Satan (1 Peter 3:18-19), taking from him the "keys of Hades and death" (Rev 1:18).

As Christian abolitionist we face an incredible reality. The first is that we live in a world ravished by evil where atrocities such as human trafficking flourish. The second is that, despite this reality, we are VICTORIOUS! Through the death and resurrection of Christ, all authority and power was taken from Satan and given to our King! Even death! Because of the death and resurrection, we became victors, trained soldiers in the ranks of the Kingdom of Heaven, defenders of good and destroyers of evil, abolitionists with a heavenly cause!

Regardless of the way you spend your Easter, as an abolitionist do not forget what this time means to you! Yes go to church, yes spend time with your family, yes even gather eggs and eat chocolate bunnies. But at the end of the day, remember two things more than anything: 1) that because of the death and resurrection yours sins were forgiven and you were justified, and 2) that because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Satan was defeated, all power was taken from him, and victory was proclaimed...especially victory over slavery!

Happy Victory Day!

Veritas et Aequitas,

Mike Masten

President

Project Exodus