By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Christians in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and across Nigeria today join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate Easter Sunday which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, symbolising His victory over death.
The celebration is culminated by the Passion of Christ which was preceded by the season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance which ended on Holy Saturday.
The Passion Week also referred to by Christians as the Holy Week was the period Jesus Christ suffered all kinds of humiliation in the hands of the Romans, resulting in his crucifixion on the Good Friday.
He was buried and on the third day, He resurrected and the celebration of His rise from the grave by Christians for over 2000 years has continued till today.
And as it always is, many churches in FCT joined others across the globe to celebrate the Easter this year and have been enjoined to pursue love, peace and joy.
In his Easter Sermon, the Archdeacon of Asokoro and Vicar of St. James Asokoro, Venerable Dr. Ben Idume, reminded the Christian faithful that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the center or heart of Christian faith.
Speaking on the topic: Jesus Christ is Risen, Death is Vanquished, the Clergyman said that since Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary, was butied and on the third day which is Easter Sunday, rose from the dead, He therefore rose for mankind to live and not die again.
Said he: “In Resurrection, Jesus Christ has removed death permanently. Indeed, resurrection is at the center or heart of Christian faith because if Jesus Christ did not rise from death, mankind would have been doomed but His resurrection meant death has been conquered”.
Idume reminded the people of God how the authorities who seized and killed Jesus Christ ensured that his disciples do not come at night to steal His body and lie that He arose but even after covering His tomb with big stones, the Angels of God rolled away the stones and Jesus Christ rose from dead to fulfil the word of God.
The Preacher however listed the benefits or implications of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection which can be seen from
Luke 1:71-74 to include given mankind victory over principalities and power, power to overpower enemies and
to serve God without fear quoting the Book of Isaiah 25:6-8.
The day was also marked with Holy Communion and Thanksgivings as the congregation joyously sang songs of praises including the popular “He Arose, Alleluia, Christ Arose” (Church Of Nigeria Anglican Hymns 339).
