2017 Easter Message for ADOTT - Archdeaconry of the Pacific

JESUS HAS RISEN, THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY!

Mark 16:1-4 "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away."

Easter offers us a wonderful opportunity to stop and ponder the reasons for real hope, found only in Jesus Christ.

This is the perfect time to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. It is His resurrection that separates Jesus from every other religious leader throughout history. His grave remains empty, because He rose from the dead. Followers of Christ at the time were so convinced of this fact that they were prepared to die, rather than deny it.

At this Easter season, we remember with immense gratitude the sacrifices of our Savior in Gethsemane and on Calvary’s cross. No mere mortal can comprehend the full importance of what Christ did for us. Our Lord Jesus Christ experienced spiritual, emotional, and physical suffering of the worst kind during his passion and death on the cross.

Though he was innocent and without sin, the Lord Jesus took upon himself the weight of the sins of the whole world for all time. On the third day after his death and burial, Christ rose from the dead.

As the women walked along the path to the tomb, as they had their eyes on the ground. They didn’t notice anything about the tomb until they got up close. “But when they looked up, they saw that the stone … had been rolled away.” Many people today live as though the stone is still in front of the grave, as if Jesus is unable to help us in our need.

I encourage you today to put your trust in the resurrection. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Sometimes we worry; sometimes we have questions about the pain and suffering we go through and in our world. Let us not be disheartened and discouraged. As the stone was rolled away.

May He roll away the stone of discouragement.
May He roll away the stone of dread.
May He roll away the stone of doubt.
May He roll away the stone of defeat .
May He roll away the stone of death.

Finally friends, Christ’s resurrection offers a promise of renewed life. Go out and spread the good news for Christ has risen. Happy Easter.

Ven. Chris Odoemena. Ph.D (Archdeacon of the Pacific)