Easter 2025: Courageous love

Commissioner Jenine Main calls us to follow Jesus’ example and be bold in our faith.

At Easter, we are reminded of the remarkable courage and boldness that lies at the core of our faith. Reviewing the passion of Jesus is quite challenging, and his directive to take up our cross daily (see Luke 9:23) is not an easy one. It is evident that being a disciple of Jesus requires significant courage and boldness.

Over the past year, Paul and I have reflected upon the story of Joshua, who was entrusted with the formidable task of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. God’s words to Joshua deeply resonate with us: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’ (Joshua 1:9 and 10).

Joshua’s journey was fraught with challenges that necessitated immense courage, faith and trust in God’s promises. The initial chapters of Joshua continue to inspire our leadership, particularly in the areas of courage and boldness – one of the core values of The Salvation Army. This value emphasises the desire to be courageous and confident in pursuing our mission priorities. This focus was introduced during Covenant Sunday at the start of the year, urging us to step up and stand out in our discipleship. This guiding principle remains vital as we progress forward.

In our daily lives, being a follower of Jesus demands boldness. It requires boldness to speak about Jesus, to demonstrate love and compassion in unexpected situations, to advocate for justice, to challenge discriminatory or derogatory language, and to defend marginalised or vulnerable individuals.

Easter serves as a time to reflect on the ultimate example of courage: Jesus Christ. His journey to the cross was characterised by unwavering determination and sacrifice to bring redemption to the world. Alongside Jesus, we observe numerous instances of courageous discipleship. Despite some dicey moments, the disciples ultimately risked their reputations and lives to spread the message of the Resurrection. Additionally, the women at the tomb, who were the first to witness the Resurrection, displayed extraordinary courage in announcing that Jesus was alive, despite the cultural norms that undermined the credibility of a woman’s testimony.

Being a follower of Jesus necessitates courage. It is not an easy path, and there will be times when we must step up and stand out for our faith. Just as Joshua encountered peculiar and challenging circumstances, we too may be called to follow God in ways that require us to step beyond our ordinary experiences to fulfil his calling. It might involve something entirely unexpected – are you prepared to step up and stand out?

This Easter, let us embrace the call to be courageous disciples. Let us be bold in our faith, confident in our mission and unwavering in our commitment to follow Jesus. May we draw strength from knowing that God is with us wherever we go, and may we inspire others through our courage and boldness.