Easter is the commemoration of the pronounced significance and the events marking the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Christians all over the world.
Jesus Christ who died on the cross to redeem kind from his countless bondages of sin and eternal death.
He personified love and exemplified humility, epitomised truth and represented justice, but, He was rejected and condemned to a brutal and shameful death on the cross by the powerful religious and political authorities of the time, for daring to question the status quo, and for proclaiming the truth he knew with passion and without compromise.
As Merton wrote in 1948: “All the apple trees came out in blossom Good Friday. It rained and got colder, but today is very bright with a pure sky. The willow is full of green. Things are all in bud.
“And in my heart, the deepest peace, Christ’s clarity, lucid and quiet and ever-present as eternity. On these big feasts you come out on top of a plateau in the spiritual life to get a new view of everything. Especially Easter. Easter is like what it will be entering eternity when you suddenly, peacefully, clearly recognize all your mistakes as well as all that you did well: everything falls into place.”
The story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead reflects the ideal that man through faith can overcome even death and find salvation. This beautiful image offers hope to all, for all ultimately face death our own and those of the ones we love.
Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to save all of us and that his resurrection represents the ultimate victory of life over death.
That tiding of salvation through faith is the essence of hope, regardless of our religious beliefs and affiliations.
Christians believe that his death is the supreme sacrifice that the sinful world needed for its salvation, and his resurrection is the proof that everything Jesus stood for and all he said is true.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ which Christians all over the world are celebrating is a influential testimony to the victory of good over evil, the triumph of light over darkness, and the conquest of wickedness, aggression, violence and death, by the forces of love, peace, nonviolence, and life
And Apostle Paul in amplifying the significance of the season in 1 Corinthians 15: 14 of the Bible says, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith”, explaining that if the messiah has died and did not resurrect, the Christian faith would have been in vain, even as his death, resurrection and miraculous ascension to heaven represents the collective victory of true believers and life into eternity with the Father.
The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has urged Nigerians to embrace unity, despite the challenges bedeviling the country.
Okoh, through a personally signed statement, on Sunday, also advised Nigerians to renew their commitment to building a better Nigeria.
He noted that just as Christ rose from the dead and brought new life to the world, Nigerians can rise above their challenges and start afresh.
The CAN President said, “As a nation, Nigeria has faced many challenges in recent years, from insecurity and economic instability to social and political unrest.
“However, just as Christ rose from the dead and brought new life to the world, we too can rise above our challenges and start afresh.
“This Easter, let us all come together and renew our commitment to building a better Nigeria.
Let us embrace the power that gives a new beginning and work together to create a brighter future for ourselves and our children. Let us put aside our differences and come together in unity, just as Christ’s resurrection brought together people from all walks of life,” the cleric remarked.
Continuing, he stressed, “As we celebrate Easter, let us also remember the less fortunate in our society and extend a hand of love and kindness to them. Let us show compassion to those who are suffering and help to lift them up.
Therefore, it is believed that Easter is the special declaration that there is life beyond Calvary. It should confer on the Nigerian believer the hope, trust and conviction of realities.
Furthermore, we urge Nigerian leaders, the people and the Christians that the life of Jesus Christ whose resurrection we celebrate should instill the fear and reverence in our lives.
Jesus taught his followers a lot of lessons through his parables and miracles, but the greatest lessons was the lessons of and with his own life. He taught his followers that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends.
While wishing our numerous readers, joyous Easter celebration, from News Echo, we admonish that Self-sacrifice and implicit obedience to God’s commandment as exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ whose resurrection to glory and rulership of the world, we celebrate.
