Thoughts from the pen of the Rev'd
Dr. Udobata Onunwa.
Easter Message 2008
Good News for all- our God is alive to keep us till eternity.
By Udobata R. Onunwa. Ph D
Do not be afraid! … He is not here for he has been raised! Matt 28. 5-6.
Easter destroys our fears- fear of death, poverty, sickness, suffering and anything that brings us back to nothing. Jesus has conquered death and is raised to new life. Our God who created life has restored life. Jesus who is the Resurrection and Life, is now raised to Life again after the horrible crucifixion of the Good Friday.
You are not worshipping a dead man, or dead God but a living God who is both the Resurrection and Life. Never resurrection nor life can die or remain dead till eternity. Our temporary death, the physical passing away from this physical life leads to eternity, the eternal life that Jesus is and brings. Death cannot hold Life to ransom. Death cannot destroy eternal life. Life and Resurrection cannot die. Jesus therefore cannot remain dead. That is why he is ‘ not here’ , he has gone back to who and what he is- Resurrection and Life. He died so that we might live. He died so that he might pick up his eternal life on our behalf. We may die physically but will rise to eternity just as he did. Our relatives and loved ones will equally enjoy that same gift from God. This does not play down the horrors and reality of death. It is only stating the obvious that no matter how strong death might be, Resurrection and Life are stronger and that is why Light is stronger than Darkness. When our God brings back our fortune, we shall all forget the present sufferings we are going through. The Joy of Resurrection is greater than the Sorrows of Death.
This great act of God reminds us that even if we die, we must be like the Risen Lord. We cannot remain in the grave for long. We shall take up new Life just as our Lord did. We must therefore no longer fear the pains, trauma and hardship which physical death brings to us. Our dead relatives are not going to remain dead but will rise again just as Jesus did. Rejoice that you have new hope of new life and your God has finally conquered death for us. We shall not fear again no matter the circumstances we are going through now. Our God who raised Jesus – the Great Shepherd of the sheep, will raise us to eternity to be with the Lord forever. What a glorious hope and Good News at this Holy Season! Do not fear. Your God is alive to keep you till eternity. May God bless you all at this Easter. God with this hope and love every one.