Brigitte Crowe, lead pastor of Howick Community Church, Sowers Trust and Picton Centre Trust, provides her thoughts on the meaning of Easter, an important time for reflection for Christians, in the lead up to the Sunrise Service on Stockade Hill in Howick from 6.30am on Easter Sunday morning.

Fear is a force that invades all our lives at some point. It’s an invisible yet powerful presence, creeping into our hearts, minds, and daily routines.

It causes us to feel anxious, paralyzed, and unable to move forward, even in the simplest of tasks. Fear takes root, growing stronger the more we entertain it.

It strips us of peace and confidence, often preventing us from stepping out in faith or embracing the fullness of life.

The courage to let go of fear is not something we can muster easily – it requires a shift in perspective, a transformation in how we see ourselves and the world around us.

“It is finished!” Three simple words. Spoken by a dying man over 2000 years ago. In his final moments, he uttered those words.

But who was he speaking to, and why? I believe that Jesus, in that moment, was addressing his Father, but he was also speaking to humanity, to the entire world.

He proclaimed it loud enough that those standing at the foot of the cross could hear, but the impact of those words ripples through the centuries to us today.

We still hear it. Those three words are not just an echo of a dying man. They’re the cry of victory. And in that cry, we discover something profound: Love has won!

In the context of his crucifixion, those around him might have misunderstood the meaning.

They could have assumed he was acknowledging the end of his earthly life. “Yes, we can see you are dying. It’s nearly over,” they might have thought.

But Jesus’ words were not limited to the finality of his death. His meaning went far beyond that. The words, “it is finished,” were not just about the conclusion of his earthly suffering. They were about the completion of a cosmic victory.

In those three words, he declared that love has triumphed over the darkness of this world.

Death would no longer hold power over humanity. Fear, which binds us in its chains, no longer has the final word. Love has won.

And why is this love so powerful? Because God is love (1 John 4:8). The very essence of God’s being is love.

The love that was poured out on the cross, the love that conquered sin and death, was not just a passing emotion or a fleeting act. It was the very nature of who God is. A perfect and unshakable love.

This love is the foundation of all that we believe, and it’s the love that declares victory over everything that would try to steal our peace, our joy, or our hope.

God’s love, demonstrated through the sacrifice of his son, has the power to overcome every fear, every doubt, and every struggle.

At this point, many might ask, “do I believe?” But I believe that’s not the right question. We all believe something – whether consciously or subconsciously – we hold beliefs that shape how we live, how we face challenges, and how we engage with the world.

The real question is not “do I believe?” but “what or who do I believe?” What is the foundation of your belief? What is the object of your faith?

I believe. I believe that Jesus uttered those three simple yet powerful words: “It is finished.”

And I believe that in those words, he was declaring that love has won! His death on the cross marked the ultimate defeat of fear, sin, and death itself.

The victory was not in the suffering, but in the love that was demonstrated through it. That love transcends all earthly understanding and reaches deep into our souls, inviting us to live without the burden of fear.

Love has won, and because of that, we are free to live life deeply and fully, without being crippled by the things that once held us captive.

Every Easter, we’re reminded of these three words. We’re reminded of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice and the love that he poured out for us.

Easter is not just a celebration of his resurrection, but a powerful reminder of his victory over all that seeks to hold us back.

His words, “it is finished,” echo through the ages, breaking the chains of fear and inviting us to embrace the fullness of life.

We no longer have to live in the shadows of fear, anxiety, or death. Love has won. And because God is love (1 John 4:8), we know that nothing – absolutely nothing – can separate us from the love that has triumphed over it all.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:8)

This Easter Sunday, April 20, we invite you to join us for our annual east Auckland Combined Churches Sunrise Service at Stockade Hill, starting at 6.30am.

It’s a beautiful moment for both heaven and earth to pause and rejoice together. This service provides a special opportunity for our community to unite in faith and celebration.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the churches represented this year for their generous contributions.

On behalf of the churches and church leaders, may God’s blessings be with you this Easter.

May his love surround you and your loved ones, filling your hearts with peace and joy.

In his love,

Brigitte