By Felicia Gideon, Numan
To commemorate the resurrection of Jesus from death to save humanity ( Easter), the Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ Nigeria, delivered a stunning message during the Easter worship service at St. John’s Archcathedral, the Church headquarters in Numan, Adamawa state.
In his sermon from the gospel of Luke 24:1-12, Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus PhD, OFR, affirmed that Christian have gathered to celebrate the glorious history of Jesus Christ resurrection and to rejoice in the light that rekindle hope for humanity. For through Christ resurrection what has broken is renewed and the relationship between man and God is restored.
He started that to many, Easter is not a day of joy, but of mourning and sadness most especially the people of Plateau, Benue, some parts in the North and Adamawa state. He emphasize that Easter should not be ceremonial, but it should be a protest against death, despair, killing and destruction of human life.
The Cleric called on those in authority to do the nitty gritty and condemned the recent killing and hold the perpetrators of such evil accountable. He urged them to hold on to their words and put it into action(Amos 5:24). He added that the message of the risen Jesus Christ is an end to blood shed and terrorism in Nigeria.
However, the Archbishop opined that the message of Easter depict hope for Nigeria, through Joseph of Arimathea who stood for injustice and the message of the angels to the women, “why do you find the living among the dead, he is not here, he has risen”.
He added that the words of the angels have brought an everlasting change in everything and have turned the graveyard which is a place of mourning and grief into a place of joy. For Jesus Christ is not in the tomb, because death could not hold him and the curse of sin had
been broken.
Archbishop Musa highlighted that due to Christ resurrection from death; Christians are:
i — Not alone in their suffering. He said what ever difficulties they find themselves in life, they are reminded that they are not alone(Isaiah 53:3).
ii— Set Free. He emphasize that Jesus Christ appeared first to the very people who deserted him, especially Peter who denied him and his disciples who could not stand. He said Jesus did not define them by their past but their present. For God’s grace has over taken their weakness and are forgiven. He added that God’s grace is stronger than Christians guilt, sins and inability to rise. He encouraged those who grief, enduring violence, suffering, feeling rejected, struggling with illness and stigma that Jesus Christ is alive and will never forsake them as he promised.
iii— Not hopeless people. He stressed that with the rise of humans against humans, killings, and challenges within and globally, does not make Christians to be hopeless. Since death has been conquered through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is hope for Nigeria now and in the future. He enjoined Christians not to lose hope for God has a way of working himself up.
iv — Sent with a mission. In his message of Easter, he said the gift of salvation is not to themselves but a mission(Matthew 28:7). He opined that the empty tomb is not only a sign of victory but a call to action (mission). They are to be a source of hope in their little corner and to tell others that Jesus is Alive.
In another note, he charged them not to give up on being witness of Christ and should speak out for injustice, be those that will kindle love even in the most darkest place and remain the light of the world. He urged them to be courageous and
move on in life as they remember the suffering, crucification and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He asserted that Easter is joy, victory and above all, it’s hope that doesn’t disappoint.He urged them to go home renewed in their hope and spirit trusting and working with him who has broken the chains of death (Jesus). And they should not be afraid because Jesus is Alive.
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