By Aramide Oikelome Snr Correspondent, Lagos
“Easter morning brings us news that is ancient, yet ever new: Christ is risen! It is that time of the year when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death on the cross and, his victory over the power and sting of death secured the opportunity for humankind to believe, hope, dream, aspire, expect and wish for a brighter tomorrow and more importantly, have an eternal place of rest in the life after.
“It is that time in the history of Christendom when we remember and celebrate the essence of Christianity, i.e. Jesus Christ, the cornerstone upon which our faith is built and anchored”.
Those were the cheery words with which the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, described the occasion that is being celebrated by Christian faithful all over the world today.
“Easter Day is a day of rejoicing, celebration, happiness and hope restored and renewed. It is a defining moment in human history, because it epitomises the liberation of humankind from the tragedies of the past and the trajectory of the sins committed by the first man, Adam, which was brought upon the human race”, he added.
Indeed, Easter marks the completion of the 40 days of fasting and prayers, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which many believe marks His victory over death, sickness, poverty, strife, war, starvation, hunger, hatred and every other sin-inflicted challenge.
Also, giving a succinct description of the essence of Easter, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo, noted that “Easter is the season of joy and hope, celebrated annually to remember the total victory that Christ won for the entire human race over sin, suffering and death.”
Prelate Uche, however, cautions: “While it is in order for Christians to celebrate and rejoice to mark the importance of this season to our existentiality, it is equally salient to recognise the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which is the epicentre of his coming.
“We must soberly reflect upon His readiness and selfless commitment and passion towards redeeming and reconnecting us with God and the new channel his death and resurrection created for us to seek the face of God and approach His throne of Grace unhindered and without inhibition.
“This should affect every facet of our daily living, considering the fact that the only way to truly celebrate and show that His sacrifice, love and death on the cross is valued and appreciated, is for us to live our lives for others. We must be prepared to share all we have and what we are with others, because, this is what God expects of us as His children, who have been bought with the precious blood of the Lamb.
“Our readiness to give and sacrifice ourselves for others is the centrality of the message of Christ’s death, which He wants us to propagate to the world. He wants us to show love where there is hate, to advocate peace in the midst of chaos and confusion, to bring hope and smiles to the hopeless, to preach courage and strengthen those in despair and are facing adversities, to lift up the weak and the helpless and to comfort the lonely.
“This is what is lacking in our society today. We are not prepared to live for others hence the rise in poverty, sickness, unemployment, corruption and wickedness of all shades.”
Corroborating this, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, Founder and Spiritual head of INRI Evangelical Church, Lagos, holds that “Easter is a season when we remember the poor and needy, a time to come close to God and renew our relationship with Him. It is a time to humble ourselves beyond measure as we commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time to minister to the needs of the underprivileged”.
The renowned philanthropist, who also heads a charity organisation, informed that as a church, INRI family do this by distributing food items, clothes, sandals and cash gift to the poor and needy around us, which also include the widows, orphans and vulnerable children.
On his part, the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Dr. Felix Omobude, urged Nigerians to soberly reflect on the import of Easter season, which has peace as its centre point and come together strongly as a people to fight the common enemy.
“Now is time for non-partisan approach to Boko Haram war”, he said.
Omobude called on all men and nations of goodwill to intervene in the crisis now, so that the wanton waste of lives and resources may end speedily to the glory of God.
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