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Easter: use occasion to foster peace

By Pastor Lazarus
20 March 2016   |   3:51 am
Beloved, another Easter has come, when we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This commemoration is the bedrock of mankind’s reconciliation with his Creator

Pastor-Lazarus-Muoka

Beloved, another Easter has come, when we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This commemoration is the bedrock of mankind’s reconciliation with his Creator. Without our Lord Jesus Christ resurrecting from death, there would not have been any hope of restoration of the peaceful relationship we had with God before our fore-parents severed it through sin.

At Easter, we are reminded of how God sent His son to die, as a sacrifice for all our sins in order to rescue us from the impending destruction that has been earmarked for us as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. Thus, by His death and resurrection, the covenant of peace and blessing, which mankind originally had with God at creation was restored.

I, therefore, implore Nigerians to use this year’s Easter to foster peace and love in the country, as this is the only way we can acknowledge and appreciate what Jesus has done for humanity. There is no gainsaying that the concept of Easter is inextricably tied to hope, peace and blessing, and these are the intangible cords that help people get beyond the sad and sordid situations that might bog them down and give them a sense of hopelessness.

So, Easter brings the optimism that no matter how difficult or how challenging your situation or condition may be, as long as there is resurrection, there will be a restoration and if Jesus could defeat death, then all things are possible. This also suggests that as bad as the prevailing situation in our country might appear, there is the expectation that things will get better because the covenant of peace and blessing God established with man is still valid.

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Our Lord Jesus has expressly told us that whatever trouble we are passing through in this world, we should not be afraid nor troubled, for He will give us inward peace in the midst of all our troubles. Not as the world gives, for Christ’s peace is vastly different from that peace, which is given or enjoyed by the world. The world may wish peace, yet never intend it, or they may wish it, yet not be able to give it, but Christ’s peace is real and effectual, solid and substantial.

The world’s peace is only a freedom from outward trouble, but Christ’s peace is a deliverance from inward guilt, though it does not give us an exemption from outward trouble, yet it assures us of joy, peace and deliverance. The peace brought to humanity as a result of Christ suffering, death, burial and resurrection is one that lasts. It is not such as promised to pacify and quell the persecutors, but a promise of inner calm amidst the storm, a full, free gift from the overflowing bounty of God’s love.

Beloved, the victory of Jesus over death is the victory over hopelessness and anarchy, for Christ’s resurrection as epitomised by Easter ushered us new hope for peace.

If the world, particularly Nigerians, will acknowledge and appreciate this wonderful work of grace, then the political and economic nightmare that have characterised our society will become a thing of the past.

Jesus said in the Book of John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Let us not ignore this counselling, for the sure foundation of peace and blessing depends on the above statement of fact. It is only in having a union with Christ that we will have peace. Thus, He beckons on us that are heavily weighed down to come and obtain freedom. So, in order to appreciate what Christ achieved for us, we should use the occasion of this Easter to promote peace and love among ourselves.

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