We need genuine love, peace and sacrifices to grow the country
Commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the redemption wrought for Christians on the Cross of Calvary is very significant. But while Easter is a Christian celebration, the essence of today’s occasion should not be limited to adherents of the faith alone. “When the world causes us stress about the cost of living and health concerns, anxiety over safety, heartache, dissatisfaction, fear and many other crises or negative feelings,” said the Australian Salvation Army, “Jesus offers us something greater and deeper. He offers us a promise of peace.” More than at any period in our recent history, this Easter season offers a unique opportunity to identify the enduring values on which to build a new order of justice, service, peace, respect for human dignity and mutual understanding.
It is indeed remarkable that Easter comes this year at a period Muslims are observing the monthly Ramadan fast. As Nigerian Christians therefore join the rest of the world to celebrate, we must use this season to reflect on things that bind us together rather than on those that divide us. We must use religion as a vehicle for deepening harmony. Besides, Easter’s enduring message, which is about sacrifice and love, demands that we rededicate our energy to the promotion of the common good as we seek to build a new society where the welfare of one is important to all. President Bola Tinubu underlined these in his Easter message when he urged “all Nigerians to yield to selflessness and compassion, and be steadfast in the pursuit of a united, peaceful, and prosperous nation.”
The mystery of today’s celebration is anchored on the fact that Jesus chose death because that was the penalty to which all in the flesh were liable on account of sin. In taking this path, Jesus was able to bring salvation to mankind. Meanwhile, Easter’s enduring message, which is about love, can be transmitted by sharing with the less privileged of our society not only material possessions but also through simple gestures like kind words and sincere smiles. Unfortunately, that is where we fail most miserably. As we therefore rejoice in His resurrection, we must pause and reflect on the sacrifice of the cross. For us in Nigeria, especially at a time like this, we need to erect effective bulwarks against the current impulse to violence and unbridled individualism. Those at the helms of affairs should also begin to realise that politics is essentially about rendering service to the people.
For Christians, on a special day such as this, it is important to remember that Christ spent his whole life and ministry with the poor, the weak and the oppressed. He shared their anxieties, their hopes, and their aspirations. He fed the hungry from the finest wheat; and he healed the sick, consoled the sorrowful and wept for the dead. These are the attributes worthy of emulation by adherents and indeed all Nigerians as we celebrate Easter. More importantly, the new wave of insecurity and spilling of blood in the country is a further invitation to all compatriots to join hands in building a new civilisation of love that eschews hatred, violence, rancour, and acrimony across the divides.
Friday’s death on the cross and today’s resurrection after three days in the grave symbolises for Christians the ultimate victory of life over death. The risen Christ brought to the world hope, faith and love and adherents are enjoined to always seek love. If humanity would only heed that message, this world would be a better place to live. While Easter is important to Christians, its message of salvation through faith is the essence of hope, regardless of one’s religious persuasion. So, on this Easter Sunday, we invite all Nigerians to renew hope and faith in our country while relating with others with love. May Easter awaken in each of us true joy shown in dedicated service and love for our fellow country men and women.
We wish all our readers a Happy Easter!
