On Thursday night (2nd April 2026), something quietly powerful happened.

Across our city, different churches came together — different styles, people, and backgrounds — and for a moment, we caught a glimpse of something deeper.

A way of being we’ve been building toward, and are still learning to live more fully.

There is one Church. Expressed in many unique gatherings.

In a world that feels increasingly divided and disconnected, that kind of unity stands out.

It feels different… because it is.

And it points us to why today matters.

Because today is Resurrection Sunday — a reminder that new life is possible.

And that new life is not just personal — it reshapes how we live with one another.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Not just pointing beyond us, but inviting us into a different way of living now.

And whether you’re someone of faith, unsure what you believe, or simply curious — this connects with something deeply human.

We all know what it is to carry brokenness.

We all feel division — in our world, in relationships, even within ourselves.

And we see it play out around us, where power, conflict, and injustice often seem to have the final word.

Yet somewhere in us is a longing for things to be made right.

The resurrection speaks into that.

It is the claim that death, despair, and division do not get the final word.

That new life is possible.

That restoration can begin.

For those who follow Jesus, His resurrection marks the beginning of a new way of being human — restored to God, and to one another.

That’s why Thursday night mattered — as we gathered together in worship.

Unity like that doesn’t come from trying harder or agreeing on everything. It flows from lives being changed — softened, re-formed, drawn back toward God and toward each other.

And if you’re not sure what you believe, this is still an invitation.

An invitation to consider that life can be different.

You might begin by turning toward Jesus — speaking to Him honestly, even if you’re unsure — and asking Him to lead you into this new life.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

It’s a reminder that the fractures we see and feel are not the end of the story.

That hope might be more real than we think.

Because the resurrection isn’t just something to believe in.

It’s something to live. And for all of us, it calls us forward. To live as people of hope. To resist the pull toward division.

To choose connection, humility, and love — even when it’s not easy.

That’s what we saw on Thursday night. Not perfect. Not polished. Just ordinary people choosing to come together.

And we don’t want that to stay a moment. We want to live this way — all year round.

Choosing unity in a world that fractures. Choosing relationship in a culture of distance. Choosing to believe that we can belong to one another, even in our difference.

Because of Jesus.

So what does this actually look like?

It might be as simple as moving toward someone instead of away. Reaching out instead of withdrawing.

Letting go of needing to be right, just enough to stay connected.

Making space for someone who is different to you.

Not big, dramatic acts — just small, real decisions.

Because unity isn’t built in moments like Thursday night alone. It’s built in the ordinary, daily choices we make.

And that’s where the resurrection meets us.

Not just in what we believe — but in how we live.

So today is not only about remembering something that happened. It’s about stepping into what is now possible.

New life.

Restoration.

A different way of living.

A different kind of community.

And that invitation — it’s open to all of us.

Today.

 

Andrew Hillier – Devonport Churches