17/04/2022
“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)
The Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Nigeria (EECN) celebrated Easter with a special event organized today in Abuja where members of the Church, families, friends and invited guests were in attendance. The occasion was beyond having a feast together - but remembering and praising the Lord for the gift of eternal life He has given us through His death. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Easter has a very special meaning in Christianity and in the history of humanity.
God the father had designed a special plan to bring back, restore, the fallen humanity to Eden. Adam and Eve were no longer able to dwell in the presence of God due their sinful nature. Sin separated mankind from the dwelling place of God. Our spirit was eternally separated from God.
The wages of sin is death. We all sinned and deserved to die or pay the penalty. Yet, one has to be completely blameless, pure and sinless in order to pay our debt and redeem us. We were not, but Jesus.
“In the fullness of time” God sent His only begotten Son to the world to die for our sin. Jesus became the Passover lamb to be sacrificed for our sin. He had no sin. He took upon Himself the punishment of our sin. He became the atonement for our sin. He paid it all. He turned God’s wrath away from our sin. The law and prophesies of the Old Testament (such as, Isaiah 53:4-11) were fulfilled through the suffering, crucifixion, death, resurrection and glorification of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Jesus died but He conquered and triumphed over death. As Paul the apostle said, “Having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14)
Now, for those who believe in the Lord and confess that Jesus Christ is their saviour, their debts are fully paid. Therefore, if you believe in Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Your transgression are wiped out. Your trespasses are forgotten. There is no more condemnation – but freedom and eternal life for s/he who believes in Him.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
