Kohima, April 16 (EMN): Christians all over the state today joined the rest of the world in celebrating Easter Sunday, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the state capital Kohima, hundreds of believers, cutting across denominational lines, congregated at the Kohima War Cemetery site and participated in the ‘Easter Sunrise Service’ organized by the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF). The programme was held on the theme ‘He is Risen (Luke 24:1-7)’.
Delivering the message on the occasion, former general secretary Nagaland Baptist Church Council Rev. Zhabu Terhuja asserted that Easter is a celebration of not only Jesus Christ’s victory over death, but also of mankind’s blessed hope of eternity. He said the resurrection vindicates the truth and claims of Jesus as the ‘Son of God’.
“The empty tomb declares that the verdict of the Sanhedrin was wrong. Jesus does not need to appeal to a higher court. His claim was evidenced by the resurrection,” the reverend stated.
He said, had there not been Easter Sunday, the day Jesus was crucified would have been the “most horrific and nightmarish Friday” in all human history. But, he explained, the power of the resurrection of Christ has turned that frightful day into Good Friday, in fact “best Friday”, because on that Friday, mankind’s sins have been atoned for, and it was on this day God has shown mankind the way and hope of eternal life. Rev. Terhuja pointed out that thus the occasion called for all believers to come together as one and reaffirm their faith and trust in God
While stating that the resurrection of Christ proves that life is eternal, the church leader remarked that, however, the idea of life beyond death was very faint to many people.
“If we look at different religions, we do not find a clear teaching that this life will go forever. There was only a longing ‘if’.....Many people simply think that our
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Members of various churches in Kohima worship during the morning service on Easter Sunday in the state’s capital on April 16, Sunday.[/caption]
identity ends with death. But in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we are made to know and believe that life does not cease with death. If there is no more life after death, the death on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins does not make any difference for us. But because of resurrection, we now understand the reason why Jesus chose to die on the cross,” he articulated.
Citing excerpts from the firs
t book of Corinthians (15:20-22), Rev. Terhuja pointed out that the Scripture says that Christ is raised as the first fruit of resurrection and those who believe in Him shall follow.
He also maintained that love is the essence of Christianity, which is demonstrated in the way Jesus had prayed on his last Friday, asking God to forgive His tormentors for they did not know what they were doing. Citing another verse from the book of Jeremiah 31:34, where God says that He would not remember again what He has forgiven, the reverend said this speaks of God’s love, and Jesus Christ came to the world as the embodiment of this love.
“God’s people need to seriously think of sharing this love of God at any level of social relationship,” he stated.
Rev. Terhuja reminded the congregation that Jesus demonstrated to mankind the model of humility, saying, “He is equal to God because He is God. But he emptied himself fully of his divine nature and actually became fully human to identify with our sins”.
People all over the world are protesting and fighting for their rights to the extent of causing great damage to their countries, he said, adding, but Jesus, laying aside His divine rights and privileges, humbled Himself to learn what obedience meant and He looked beyon
d his personal desires and was more concerned about the human world that is under the load of sin.
Also talking about the need for believers to ask themselves their response to Christ’s resurrection, he stated, “As we once again acknowledge in gratitude what God has done for each of us, it is most appropriate also for us to have introspection”.
“For too long we have been dancing to different kinds of music entertaining one another. Today God is calling us to radical discipleship; to turn from theatrical performance to real spiritual sacrifices. According to Galatians 5 and 6, there are two ways to do that- one is, to crucify the flesh with all its desires, and, the other is, resolutely and purposefully sowing spiritual seed,” Rev. Terhuja stated.
Conveying Easter greetings to the congregation, KBPF advisor Rev. Asangba Longkumer said the true meaning of Easter does not only mean the victory of Jesus over death, but also His unconditional love which is demonstrated by shedding His blood to eradicate the sins of mankind.
During the programme, songs were presented by Assembly of God Church Officers’ Hill, NCRC Kohima village and Salvation Army Church Kohima. The programme was led by KBPF assistant secretary, Pastor Nitoshe Zhimomi.
