This years’ Easter celebration: Lessons and impact
It is yet another season of Easter. A season that presents us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God who came to die for the sake of humanity. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are central to the Christian faith, and they carry profound lessons, hope, and transformative power for individuals and humanity as a whole. Here’s a breakdown of each aspect:
Jesus’ death on the cross is seen by Christians as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins. He willingly gave His life to reconcile humanity with God, showing the depth of God’s love and justice. This death, is sacrificial as Jesus Christ willingly gave up His life for the sake of men.
Due to the sin com mitted by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they lost their place with God who had willed that all men should live in union and in communion with Him.
Man lost this great privilege as a result of disobedience by doing that which God had commanded them not to do. So, in order to redeem man and restore him to his place which he lost as a result of sin and disobedience, God has to send His son, Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity to come into the world as man in order to redeem the world.
Easter is a pivotal Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, holding immense significance as a symbol of hope, new life, and salvation. It impacts believers by reaffirming faith, providing a foundation for ethical living, and offering a path towards redemption. The lessons of Easter, including the victory over death and the power of forgiveness, inspire individuals to live lives of purpose and faith.
The season of Easter once again brings to mind the sacrifice God has made for humanity. It is indeed one of true love as only true loves involves self-sacrifice. It is also a period of forgiveness we will recall that during the passion of Jesus Christ from the Garden of Gethsemane to Calvary, Jesus asked for forgiveness for His persecutors, teaching mercy even in suffering.
Easter is the cornerstone of Christianity, celebrating Jesus’s resurrection as the fulfillment of prophecy and the ultimate demonstration of God’s love.
The resurrection signifies victory over death and the promise of eternal life, offering hope and purpose in the face of adversity.
It is also a season characterised by obedience and faith as we see that Jesus obeyed God’s will, even unto death, showing trust in God’s plan. Even when His flesh as man was becoming weak, He still keyed into God’s will and plan for humanity.
In the same vein, the resurrection signifies Jesus’ victory over sin and death. It confirms His divinity and promises eternal life to all who believe.
This plays a significant role for humanity as we possibly don’t know what our fate would have been and our faith would have been hopeless.
There are therefore, so many lessons to be learnt from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We look at hope and renewal knowing and believing that no matter how dark a situation may seem, resurrection is possible. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
We also see the power of God at work; the ability of God’s power to bring life out of death which shows that nothing is impossible. It also invites believers into a new life of purpose and transformation.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives hope that death is not the end; believers have the promise of eternal life. In the hope of His redemptive grace, no one is beyond saving; forgiveness and transformation are available to all.
Similarly, through Christ’s death, people can be reconciled with God and with one another.
However, the Easter celebration is preceded by the faithful observance of 40 days of lent mostly practiced by the Catholic Church. It starts with Ash Wednesday and a period of forty days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These are the tenets of the season. Christians are admonished to be drawn closer to God more than ever during this season. A lot of spiritual activities are carried out to ensure that Christians remain in the sombre mood of the season- a period of retreat and reconciliation and carrying out works of charity.
The high point of the season is the Holy Week which begins with the Palm Sunday. This is celebrated by Christians heralding the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem before undergoing His suffering for the sake of humanity. There is the chant of Hosanna by the people in one breathe and in another just few days after- crucify Him. This is quite instructive as this is seen to be the nature of man.
After the Palm Sunday comes three very important days preceding the Easter Day which is referred to as the Easter Triduum- Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. These days are very important and have their significance.
The Easter Triduum, Holy Triduum, or the Three Days, is the period of three days that begins with the liturgy on the evening of Maundy/Holy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday.
Taken from a Latin root that means “three days,” it is a period of time that traces the final days of Jesus’ life, his death, and his resurrection from the dead. Starting on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, each day is traditionally marked with a particular liturgy.
The Sacred Paschal Triduum is the three most solemn days of the liturgical year; Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
The symbols of the triduum — the water, the fire, the oils, the words — are more than symbols, they play a key role in the salvation of humanity.
The teachings of Easter, including the emphasis on love, compassion, and forgiveness, provide a foundation for ethical and moral living. It inspires Christians to work towards a more just and equitable world. The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates the triumph of life over death, offering hope and assurance even in the face of suffering and loss.
Easter reminds individuals that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and the potential for renewal, with the knowledge that the sacrifice of Jesus highlights the importance of forgiveness, compassion, and understanding for others.
Easter encourages individuals to live lives of faith, purpose, and meaning, inspired by the resurrection of Jesus.
The significance of Easter extends far beyond a single day. It is a powerful reminder of God’s love, the promise of hope, and the transformative power of faith. The lessons of Easter inspire individuals to live lives of purpose, compassion, and hope, contributing to a better world inspired by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
With the lessons and hope Easter gives and brings, is this year’s Easter celebration going to be like all others or are the lessons going to abide with us transforming humanity and bring about a change in our characters, lifestyle, relationship with others, etc.?
I believe it’s a wake up call for us to reexamine our lives, motives, what is our driving force and indeed internalise the sacrifice made by Jesus for humanity so that the world can bed a better place.
Happy Easter Celebration. Let love lead.
