By Marlon Dale Ferreira
On a quiet morning in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago, an event occurred that shook the very foundations of history. A stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified carpenter’s son, the teacher, the Lamb of God was alive.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely the climax of the Gospel story; it is the hinge upon which all of Christian faith turns. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). But Christ has been raised, and with that, everything changes, not only for individuals, but for families, communities and even nations.
As Sri Lanka continues to navigate through seasons of political turbulence, economic recovery and societal tension, the question emerges: What would it mean to live as a resurrection-shaped people in this island nation?
The Resurrection as Historical and Eternal Fact
Far too often, Easter is treated as a sentimental celebration – Easter bunnies and Easter eggs, flowers, choirs, and sunrise services. But for the early disciples, it was a world-altering revelation. The resurrection confirmed that Jesus was not just a martyr, but the Messiah. It meant sin had been conquered, death disarmed, and Satan dethroned.
For us today, this truth brings assurance: our past is forgiven, our present is transformed, and our future is secure. As Paul declared in Romans 6:4, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death… in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.”
From Empty Tomb to Living Testimony
To live the resurrection is to embrace more than just hope for heaven, it is to walk in newness of life right now. It means embodying the values of the risen Christ: forgiveness, justice, peace, and compassion.
But how do we do this in practical terms?
- In our homes, it means raising our children with a foundation of faith that is not ritual but relational. Reading the resurrection accounts in Matthew 28, Luke 24, or John 20 around the dinner table can spark powerful family conversations about life, death, and purpose.
- In our relationships, it means choosing grace over bitterness, just as Christ forgave His betrayers.
- In our work and leadership, it means integrity, servant-heartedness and vision grounded in eternal truths rather than worldly gain.
A Resurrection Vision for Sri Lanka
Imagine a Sri Lanka where resurrection power is not confined to church buildings, but is lived out in daily life.
- In government, it would mean leaders who prioritize justice, truth, and the welfare of all people, echoing the Servant King.
- In business, it would mean ethical practices, fair wages, and a commitment to stewardship over exploitation.
- In schools, it would mean cultivating not just intellect, but moral courage and spiritual depth in the next generation.
- In churches, it would mean being more than event centers—becoming healing communities that embrace the broken, uplift the poor, and confront injustice.
The resurrection calls us to be a different kind of people, not simply “religious” but resurrected in heart and mission. The Aragalaya movement showed that Sri Lankans are hungry for change. But lasting change must begin with inner transformation and the only true transformation comes from Christ, who makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).
Living it Out in the Ordinary
How do we apply this resurrection faith day by day?
- Wake up with gratitude – knowing each day is a gift from a risen Lord.
- Speak words of life – in homes, on social media, and in public discourse.
- Serve the hurting – the poor, the elderly, the addicted – not out of duty, but from resurrection love.
- Invest in the future – mentoring youth, modeling humility and planting seeds of truth in your community.
This is how we teach our children what the empty tomb really means: that no darkness is final and no situation is beyond God’s redemption.
Because He Lives, We May Live Differently
Sri Lanka has weathered war, economic collapse, and social unrest. Yet in Christ, there is always hope. As the beloved hymn says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.”
Let us live not as people marked by despair, but by resurrection. Let us raise our families, shape our institutions and serve our nation in light of an unshakable truth: Christ is risen and with Him, a new Sri Lanka can rise too.
The author is currently following a Masters in (Sacred) Theology in Los Angeles, California.
