Publications	Easter Edition of the Hawaii Hochi

NACOS has published an article in Easter Edition of the Hawaii Hochi Newspaper. These articles provide the reader with a current and relevant view of Easter. These articles are written by the staff members of NACOS International Institute and often include anecdotal accounts of the significance of Easter in the United States.

"And now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor. 13:13

Jesus, the Internet and the Resurrection I wonder what Jesus would think about the information superhighway which we have labeled "the internet." Would Jesus be featured live on America On-line or Compuserve? Would you be able to chat with him in one of the many chat rooms? I wonder if the instantaneous spread of information appealed to him in terms of delivering His message. Personally, I don't think so. Not that I think Jesus is opposed to modern technology or electronic gadgetry. Not at all. It's just that I think Jesus was more interested in people than machines. The twentieth century has been called the age of information. The last 10 years in particular have seen the most incredible proliferation of information the world has ever seen. What about Jesus' message? Surely, this technology would revolutionize the spread of the Gospel. Let's take a step back and look at Jesus' life and ministry. His birth alone should convince even the hardest skeptic that Jesus' wasn't about publicity or advertising campaigns. He wasn't born in a palace or in the wealthiest accommodations. He didn't announce his arrival through the media or call a press conference. No, instead his arrival was announced to a few shepherds watching their flocks. Doesn't it seem like the King of the Universe should have a more auspicious arrival? Jesus lead a relatively obscure life until he began his public ministry at the age of 30. When Jesus did begin to announce his arrival, he was very discreet about it. First he chose 12 men to share his life with. He knew his message didn't necessarily need numbers, it needed depth and character. These attributes don't happen overnight either. In the early stages of Jesus' ministry, he went around the Judean countryside preaching that the Kingdom of Heaven was near, as near as the your outstretched hand. Jesus never went to the wealthy or influential politicians or leaders to seek money or support for his campaign. He knew that his message did not need a political analyst or a popularity poll. In the end, Jesus did appear before the religious and political leaders of his day but only after he had been accused of treason and blasphemy. Now was Jesus chance to tell the whole world who he was. But the bible says that he did not open his mouth. "He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7 The message that Jesus was to bring needed a sacrifice. He knew that if he gave an exclusive interview to the media, that still wouldn't convince the people that He was the Son of God. No, he need something more. Throughout Jesus ministry, he predicted what would happen during the Passover in Jerusalem. He knew he would be accused and condemned by the Sanhedrin and handed over to the Romans to be scourged and executed. He told his disciples plainly but somehow they couldn't understand. Perhaps their minds were darkened. But it all happened as Jesus had said it would. On the third day, when Mary and the other women went to his burial site, he was not there. The angels proclaimed that: "He is not here. He is risen." Finally, Jesus' disciples understood what Jesus had been telling them. Finally it was clear to them that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. He was the Son of God come into the world to save the world from it's sin. So the next time you get a busy signal from your internet provider, remember that we don't need a modem to hook up to Jesus. No, there is no web page for God or no URL that will connect you to Heaven. The most expensive computer or fastest modem won't bring you any closer to God. Jesus is the one and only connection and his web page is always available. Who knows, maybe the busy signal on your screen means God is trying to get in touch with you but you're too busy to answer. I'm positive that connection is the best one in town.