SEYI SOKOYA reports that the celebration of Easter today, just like Palm Sunday last week, will be a solemn one as the world remains locked down under the grip of coronavirus.
IT all started on Palm Sunday when the Holy Week began. It is a week during which the arrest and trial of Jesus the Christ is remembered, culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday. Last Sunday, the faithful could not come together but celebrated in their homes around the world due to the ravaging COVID-19. It was a signal that the world is no longer the same.
Today marks Easter Sunday around the world but the world is yet to recover and so just like Palm Sunday, the churches will be quiet as the faithful remain at home reflecting on this never-seen-before Easter with no celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a significant moment in Christianity.
In the Vatican, the Pope would give his urbi et orbi (to the city and the world) speech as usual, but there would be no audience at St Peter’s Square to listen to him. Most Christians would watch from their television sets. Or there may not be any speech at all; another reminder of the changing phase of the world.
With no light at the end of the tunnel and most parts of the world recording increasing number of fatalities to the virus, it goes without saying that the celebration of Easter today will follow the same pattern as last week. History is yet to record any occasion such as this in two millennia history of the Christian faith.
Thanks to information communication technology, as stay at home order persists, Christians will also stay home and only keep in touch with their spiritual leaders through satellite television and communication means including the social media platforms.
Through this media, church leaders are stirring up hope in their members to stay connected spiritually while encouraging them to abide by the government’s directive all through the period of the celebration.
In his Easter message, Archbishop of Lagos Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Olusina Fape, reminded Christians of the significance of Easter as a proof that Jesus has conquered death “and that the empty grave is evidence that nothing whatsoever can stop Christ’s resurrection.”
He noted that despite the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic “which is hindering Christians from worshiping together corporately in church buildings at this year’s Easter, Christians still have every reason to celebrate the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ over death and the powers of darkness.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). So, we can make use of the social media where members of different families can gather together for Easter celebrations. Therefore, as we celebrate Easter, the spiritual life of the Church is not locked down,” he added.
Presiding Bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, (Christ Life Church) Ibadan, Oyo State, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, also admonished Christians, Nigerians and people across the globe to fear God more than the dreaded coronavirus.
He noted that if the people could take God’s instructions seriously and abide in Him, then the world would be a better place. The news being churned out on a daily basis, especially during this period of the pandemic, is not ear-appeasing at all. But the good thing is that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord has conquered all fears. He died and rose for all creatures,” Oke said.
He, however, implored people not to turn coronavirus into another demi-god to be worshiped through unnecessary fear, saying that rather, God should be feared more.
“There is no disease or power above God. So, just like most people have obeyed and are still obeying the stay-at-home order as a precautionary measure, we should obey God and seek His face more,” he added.
He also enjoined government at all levels and other relevant stakeholders to be more concerned with the plight of the people as a result of the lockdown that has deprived them from going about their daily activities.
Bishop Olukunle Amoo of the Laughter Bible Church, Ibadan, Oyo State, noted that the significance of Easter cannot be wiped out by any pandemic, adding that “Easter is Jesus and Jesus is Christianity. COVID-19 will disappear in the mighty name of Jesus. We pray for all nations of the world. Divine protection will be our portion henceforth in Jesus name.
“There were plagues in Egypt and the Israelites were not affected. We shall no more be affected by any plague in whatever form in Jesus name.
“Almighty God shall grant our leaders wisdom to direct us right during this period. We pray for divine knowledge for all researchers and there will be divine solution. However, let us be socially responsible and maintain good hygiene always, because cleanliness is next to godliness,” he pleaded.
Apostle Caleb Oluwakayode of the Revelation of Christ Chapel, Ibadan, Oyo State, said Jesus died to destroy the power of sin and resurrected to give hope of eternity to both the living and dead saints. Without resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ there is no hope in death.
“Though COVID-19 may hinder us from gathering, but the reality is that the celebration of Easter is beyond the four corners of any building. It is a personal experience that must be shared through our lives with the world. I pray for spiritual revival through this season in the name of Jesus,” he added.
Apostle Emmanuel Olopade of the New Wine Apostolic Communion Church, Oluyole, Ibadan, has also stated that Easter is a very significant period in Christianity and that it is the foundation of the Christian faith.
“Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and through His death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in His death and resurrection. However, this year’s Easter celebration arrived amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of us quarantined at our homes.
“The faith and hope we have in our risen Saviour, Jesus Christ will not falter in the midst of the epidemic. This year’s Easter celebration is going to be a departure from the old way of marking it, with critical issues and challenges begging for answers.
“This is a time for sober reflection. It is a time to see how best we can reconcile with Jesus Christ and live the life He taught us to live, for the world to be a better place.
“It is time to manifest the power, authority and nature of Christ and not just bogus noise-making. It is a season of love, sacrifice and forgiveness. It is important to note this fact and live by it,” he added.
Olopade noted that though the whole world is facing COVID-19 challenge, the Church has to respond in her own unique way, adding that “Beyond social distancing and other regulations given by the government to the Church, we must do a soul searching and reflection on whether the Church as a whole or individual has acted well or responded satisfactorily in the face of current challenges facing us globally.”
Also speaking, the presiding cleric of the Christ Apostolic Church, Hand of God Miracle Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, Pastor Ebenezer Agboola, lamented that there had never been any hindrance against the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, just as he urged Christians at large to seek the face of God for total intervention.
He also noted that the current pandemic ravaging the world is one of the clear signs that the world is coming to an end.
“According to the Bible, when the end is near, strange things like COVID-19 pandemic will be happening. All Christians must now fortify themselves and prepare for the end. We should be obedient.
“A lot of us that think we are prepared for the second coming of Jesus are not truly prepared because of our disobedience. We would be surprised by the kind of people that will make heaven.
“We must all do the will of God and obey His commandments. We should all go back to the Bible. Many clerics these days have deviated. A lot of clerics, Christians and the whole country are all after money. The quest for money has blinded a lot of people from the truth of the word of God,” he said.
He, however, prayed that the sword of God’s anger that is moving across the world should cease and that God should show mercy on the earth.
“This situation has crippled the worship and service of God. The Bible says there will come a time when you will worship in spirit and in truth. Now is the time that we will know those who can worship Him in spirit and in truth,” he added.
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