Easter Message

 Dear African Aficionados,

Easter is the special season for all of us to celebrate life.  God is life. Sure, he is the source and  summit of our life. He resurrected  from the dead. His resurrection has conquered our spiritual, physical, economical and material death.

The cross brings us face to face with Jesus' suffering. He was alone -- all his disciples had deserted him except for his mother and three women along with John, the beloved disciple. And his death was agonizing and humiliating. 

Normally a crucified man could last for several days on a cross.  Jesus' had already been scourged, beaten with rods, and a crown of thorns pressed into his skull.  It is no wonder that he died mid-afternoon.   Pilate publicly heralded Jesus  "The King of the Jews" as he died upon the cross, no doubt to irritate and annoy the chief priests and Pharisees. 

We can find no greater proof of God's love for us than the willing sacrifice of his Son on the cross.  Jesus' last words, It is finished, express triumph rather than defeat. Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit knowing that the strife was now over and the battle was won. 

Even on the cross Jesus knew the joy of victory. What the Father sent him into the world to do has now been accomplished. Christ offered himself without blemish to God and he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (see Hebrews 9:24-26).