Dr Mensa Otabil, General Overseer, International Central Gosple Church, says the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical reality and not a myth.
He said the resurrection, the centre for the Christian faith, was real and not something said metaphorically.
“He died, He was buried and rose again,” the General Overseer said.
Dr Otabil narrating the account of Apostle John as recorded in John 20:1-8 at Easter Sunday resurrection service on the theme, “Jesus is not in the tomb,” said the tombstone was rolled and Jesus raised by the Power of God.
He said that was the evidence of the “gentle and forceful” power of God in operation.
Dr Otabil said God in some situations operated gently and applied force where the need be.
He said all that happened at the tomb attested to the fact that He had risen and not whisked away by either the disciples or any other person or persons.
“John, Peter, Mary and others saw and all believed that he had risen indeed,” Dr Otabil said.
He said there were existing historical sites that proved Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection and asked Christians to remain strong in the faith.
Dr Otabil asked them to keep faith in the resurrected Christ and know that the tomb was empty because He arose.
Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, says the resurrection of Jesus Christ can revive economies, health systems, and financial institutions collapsed by COVID-19.
“This is because Christ came and overturned the disobedience of Adam and Eve with his obedience and that constitutes our salvation.”
The halleluyah to the resurrection of Christ, he said, was a total transformation of the destiny and lives of God’s children, therefore, believing in Him, working hard and committing all works into God’s hands would restore lost economies.
Cardinal Turkson said this while celebrating Mass at the Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Cape Coast, on Easter Sunday on the theme: “Jesus is Risen.”
The Bible Verses for the Homily were taken from Acts 10:24, 37 – 43, with Psalm 118: 1-2, 16-17,22-23 as the responsorial psalm, followed by Colossians 3: 1-4 and John 20: 1-9 as the Second and Gospel readings respectively.
“Jesus has changed our destiny and our lives and by that we can be saved from every unfortunate happenings including; COVID-19 and its effects.
“Aside salvation, Christ’s resurrection has also given us the power and authority to let go our sufferings, hard times, trials and tribulations and stand firm to regain our lives,” he added.
Making reference to the word of the Pope Francis, he said COVID-19 had shown the true nature of everything and left everything bare before leaders across the world to enable them to know what to straighten up or let go.
Cardinal Turkson explained that Easter was a three-day celebration and not just about the Easter Sunday because there was the need for a betrayal to have a crucifixion, and then resurrection.
God, he said brought his son into the world to be subjected to intense pain and face death to reveal his love for humanity, and give freedom to humanity even on Sabbath.
“The will of the Father wasn’t to see Jesus killed, but to reveal his love for humanity and that made Jesus accept death.”
The congregation prayed to commit humanity, Pope Francis, Cardinals and all leaders of the Catholic Church into God’s hands for his protection and guidance.
They also prayed for Christians to be doers of God’s word and for travelers across the country and beyond to have traveling mercies.The Most Reverend Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, Anglican Bishop,Internal Province of Ghana has described Easter as a season of awareness which requires Christians to recognize opportunities that the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ meant.
The power of the Cross signifies awareness that Christians must look up to be able to access the crown of Christ; Archbishop Ben-Smith stated in Easter message to members of the Church across the country.
He said Easter was a time of expectation of the fulfilment of the salvation works of Christ to the divine plan to liberate human kind from the shackles of sin, moral degradation, and rebellion amongst others.
The critical relevance of Easter, he noted, manifested his redemptive and sacrificial love as the essential element of any vicarious sacrifice was blood, which reminded Christians to emulate and exude this trait of sacrifice.
“Easter represents the offering and ultimate sacrifice of blood; the unblemished offering of a willing sacrificial victim-perfect and sufficient sacrifice of love for the sins of the whole world,” he added. Archbishop Ben-Smith, who is also the Anglican Bishop of Asante Mampong, said, “as Christians, we’re assured of the power and the promise of Easter-the resurrection and hope of eternal life which is eminent to all who believe and trust in the power of the resurrection and the hope of new life.”
Source: GNA