AN Easter message from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.

“I WAS interested to see that Easter Sunday falls on April Fool’s Day this year. I’ve read of some classic hoaxes over the years. Like the one on April 1, 1878, when a New York tabloid newspaper reported that the inventor of the electric light bulb, Thomas Edison, had created a machine that could transform soil directly into breakfast cereal and water into wine. The story went round the world as an actual fact!

And how about this for perhaps the most far-fetched story of all...

A poor carpenter-turned-holy man from an obscure dusty town in northern Galilee becomes the most commanding figure in human history. After a three-year whirlwind of preaching, supposed healings and wild claims about being the son of God, he is arrested by the religious leaders on trumped up charges. He is tortured and crucified to death by the Roman authorities. Three days later his friends and followers claim he has been resurrected. They begin a spiritual movement in his name called Christianity which spreads throughout the world. Now a third of the world’s population - 2.2 billion people - belong to it. It’s got to be an April Fool’s story, right?

Wrong!

As unbelievable as it might seem, what we celebrate this Easter as Christians - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - changed the world as we know it. It’s a story that changed my life as a 10-year-old living in Uganda. Jesus goes on changing many lives today. I heard recently about a nightclub doorman from East Yorkshire who was invited to church by the local vicar. 'Am I really allowed to come in?' he said. A doorman who didn’t think he could get in. The irony!

The chap did turn up that Sunday and not only found a warm welcome but was also transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ. Now they can’t get rid of him. He has since joined the church choir! Be encouraged that no-one is barred from the house of God - or from knowing Him intimately. Why not try out your local church this weekend and hear the good news for yourself?

My prayers are particularly with all those in the grip of grief and despair this Eastertide. Good Friday is our reminder that Jesus - the ‘man of sorrows’ - shared in our desolations and sufferings. I was struck by the recent tragic death of York skier Jordan Waugh. He died while trying to help his friend who had got into trouble on those icy slopes. As the hundreds of mourners heard at his funeral in York Minster, Jordan’s last act was one of sacrificial love. So fitting then that the words of John 15:13 were read out: ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ Today we remember that Jesus’s death on the cross was the greatest act of love in human history. He died so that we might be forgiven and free of all that separates us from our heavenly Father. Whilst it is a distressing time for anyone mourning the loss of a loved one, take comfort that Christ’s sacrifice means that death is not the end of the story. We have the promise of eternal life!

I was thrilled to see that York was recently named as Britain’s best place to live by the Sunday Times. We already knew that right?! The judges praised our great city’s innovative, dynamic workforce and for 'bringing the historic city into the 21st century without losing any character or community spirit'. Let’s celebrate the fruits of all the hard work that has gone into making York such a great city. If only some of the success would rub off on our football team. COME ON CITY!

My hope and prayer this Easter is that York would also be known as a place of spiritual renewal. That the city would continue to be a shining example of Christian compassion and hospitality. That many hearts would be opened to the good news of Jesus Christ who died so that we might fully live.

And that all would know - from Copmanthorpe to Clifton, from Acomb to Acaster Malbis - that we are an Easter people and Alleluia! is our song!

God bless you all.”