He was convinced that unmerited suffering, undertaken voluntarily, would have a saving power for his society. King knew people in the civil rights movement would get into trouble as a result of their non-violent protests. Yet he believed in the healing, reconciling power of suffering undertaken freely by the innocent. The Easter story is symbol and promise of the power of unmerited suffering to bring reconciliation and new life. Another liberal version of the Easter story is more existential, and deeply pastoral.
Easter always happens.
Whenever and wherever people find themselves able to start again, wherever there is reconciliation and healing, wherever there is life and wholeness, there is resurrection. Easter is the indefatigable hope of light and life, however deep our present darkness and suffering. In the midst of grief, loss and sorrow, hope is re-born, and we can begin again. It's never too late to make a new start. Because God is with us, and God is still the kind of God known to us above all through the life, ministry and death of Jesus of Nazareth.