Sojourner #037: Paska, Resurrection Glory, & The Unshakable Kingdom
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)
From the Editor’s Desk:
This Easter weekend looks a little different for some of us, depending on where we are in the world. In Ukraine, as the aroma of Paska baking rises from ovens in countless kitchens across the war-torn nation - some of which are bombed-out or borrowed or yet untouched by the war - the believers there wrestle with the glorious tension of resurrection hope mingled with a lingering grief - reminding each of us once more of the sobering realities of this “already but not yet” Kingdom to which we belong.
This weekend, from Kyiv to Lviv to Odesa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro, joy is rising - joy found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our righteous and reigning King.
Whether in the breaking of Paska bread or the Easter tradition or the songs that declare that Christ is risen indeed, hope rises in the midst of great darkness, not just in Ukraine, but around the world - in every tribe, nation, and tongue where Christ is proclaimed. But in Ukraine, there is also a real and immense grief, suffering, exile, and war that remains.
And even still, they bake.
Paska, a traditional Easter bread in Ukrainian, and many other Eastern European, cultures, is a sweet, eggy, and braided bread decorated oftentimes with Christian symbols, and represents far more than a mere holiday tradition. Representing Christ as the bread of life (Jn. 6:35, 48, 51), Paska symbolizes the hope of Christ’s resurrection and the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom on this earth.
To bake Paska in the middle of a war where Russian military forces continue to bomb Ukrainian civilians and cities, even on Easter weekend, is a big deal. It is a declaration of the believer's working out of what Christ has worked in them - a carrying out of Gospel tension with action, proclaiming to all a simple message, a Kingdom message: Christ the King is risen, and death does not have the final word - not here, not ever.
As Christians, there is not one of us who is unfamiliar with suffering. Many of our lives have been characterized by it, shaped by pain and the trials of this life. Our theology is not simply theoretical, it is lived out. The history of Christ’s church is a long tale of persecution assuaged by the sovereign rule of God over each and every storm.
For us, Easter is not just another holiday, it is not just a sentiment we all share - it is a reminder and celebration of Christ’s victory over the greatest enemy. He has crushed the head of that old serpent, once and for all time. It is a Kingdom announcement: The Rock of Ages stands eternal. The King, the Son of God, rising bodily as the first-fruits of all those who have fallen asleep (1 Cor. 15:20), has been raised to new life in power and glory. This is our hope, the substance of our faith, as it is written:
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile… But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead” (1 Cor. 15:17, 20).
In fact Christ has been raised, and by His resurrection He ushers in a Kingdom not of this world. This Kingdom is not like those earthly kingdoms we often think of. It is not bound by geography or government system, it is a Kingdom belonging to those of every tribe and nation and tongue - bound not by flags but by the blood of the Lamb that was slain. And one day in themes of glory, this Kingdom will be finally gathered together at one table - the King’s table. What a day that will be.
So this Easter, as you gather with your families to share a meal, I implore you to think of that table, and picture the scene: Paska passed from Ukrainian to Kenyan, believers from Seoul breaking rice cakes with others from Atlanta, resurrection hymns sung by martyrs of ages past alongside those who've died in Venezuelan labor camps, refugees from Pakistan sitting beside Russians and Australians. No longer divided by war and political scheming, brought near by the Gospel, and seated at the King’s table.
Today we see something of this across churches and bomb shelters and pews in every place, anywhere the body of Christ is gathered together.
Language may divide us, culture may divide us, but we all cling to the same cross, awaiting the same future glory, smiling in the same language - a Ukrainian taught me that in elementary school, and it has stuck with me, even after all these years.
One day, we will no longer look at things through such a veil, we’ll see the Kingdom as it truly is, a great multitude gathered before the throne of God:
"A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…" (Rev. 7:9).
And perhaps, there will be Paska broken in glory, an enduring symbol of the finished work of Jesus Christ - uniting His people through his body, broken for sinners, and raised in glory. Today the tomb is empty, and that is what we celebrate this weekend.
Wherever you find yourself this weekend, know that the Lord reigns. He has triumphed over sin and death once and for all. His Kingdom has been proclaimed, inaugurated, and established - and one day soon, He will come again in glory. Until then, endure all things for the sake of the Kingdom - for the sake of His name among the nations.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.
Христос воскрес! Воістину воскрес!
A Simple Paska Recipe
(For home or church fellowship)
Ingredients:
1 cup warm milk
½ cup sugar
2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
3 eggs
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour
Optional: raisins, orange zest, icing glaze
Instructions:
In a large bowl, stir warm milk and sugar until sugar dissolves. Add yeast and let sit 5–10 minutes, until frothy.
Beat in eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Slowly stir in flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
Knead dough on floured surface 8–10 minutes until smooth. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1½–2 hours).
Punch down dough, divide and braid or shape into a round or tall loaf. Let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes or until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Cool completely. Optional: drizzle with glaze and decorate with a cross or traditional symbols.
As you share this Paska, keep your eyes on the Kingdom - for His glory. And remember: one day, we will all feast in the house of Zion.
Five Ways To Pray This Easter
For the Church in Ukraine: Pray for endurance, comfort, and gospel witness amidst grief and war. Pray for pastors and congregations scattered or displaced.
For Peace: Ask the Lord to restrain evil, bring justice, and show mercy — knowing that full peace will only come with Christ’s return.
For the Global Church: Thank God for the beauty of His Church among all nations. Pray for continued unity in the truth of the gospel.
For Persecuted Believers: Remember brothers and sisters around the world who worship under threat, and pray for courage, comfort, and faith.
For Your Own Heart: That the reality of the resurrection would anchor you — not just in comfort, but in mission and joyful endurance.
Why We (Still) Write About Ukraine
If you have been a reader of Sojourner Magazine for any length of time, then you know that we have often focused on the stories of the Ukrainian people. This is not to follow trends, attract clicks, or draw any attention to ourselves, but to bear witness about the truth of what is really happening on the ground - for His glory and for the good of many.
Our attention to Ukraine and her people is a calculated decision on our part, and we'll explain that more in a few moments. What you need to understand is that the stories we share, whether they be from Ukraine or Uganda, are not just stories. They are people.
Each story we tell represents people who are really living and really dying - people that we know and have conversations with and care deeply about. Their lives are not detached from their stories, what we do here does not happen in a vacuum. There are fathers attempting to lead their families through the chaos of war, communities displaced, believers who carry their Bibles in one hand and the weight of this war in the other, and to keep it with the theme of this article - families baking Paska in temporary housing facilities in danger of being leveled by Shahed drones.
We write, we bear witness about these things not to work you into an emotional state of distress, but in sincere hope that by our efforts - You. Would. See. Them.
Our job is to bear witness about the work that God is doing through the eyes of His people on the ground, and our ambition is that you would see their faith and hope in Christ’s resurrection even in the face of death itself.
To highlight Ukraine as we have is not to isolate it from the rest of the world, but to lift your eyes to the truth as it is, not as we would like it to be - to show you the greater story of a greater Kingdom that missiles do not shake, ruled by a King who is not rattled by the evil that endures on this side of eternity.
In the stories we tell, our prayer is that you would see the tremors of a world shaken by the empty tomb. In the Ukrainian’s struggle we hear the echo of a Gospel call that sounds above the agony of this world. When you stand for the truth - by faith, you bear witness to the hope that holds us together, and point to the Kingdom feast that’s coming one day very soon.
So, we’re not going to stop covering Ukraine. Not so long as God is working in the lives of His people - whether that’s here or there, our mission is the same. Why? Because the King is risen and His Kingdom is coming soon.
From all of us at Sojourner Magazine, Happy Easter.
Христос воскрес! Воістину воскрес!
Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!
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