Dearly Loved ones in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our precious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us thank and praise God for His providence and guidance in the past days.
Easter is celebration of Salvation. Easter is commemoration of salvation that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has brought to humanity. Resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith and points to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Cross represents the suffering and resurrection represents the triumphal victory and life in Jesus Christ. The central message of Easter is: Christ is risen. By dying Jesus destroyed death and by his resurrection Jesus restored life and brought salvation. We are a people who celebrate this restoration of life. Salvation that the death of Christ has brought is once for all. So we say boldly that we are children of God, redeemed and we are no more under bondage, we are set free. Christ saved us and He is our salvation. Hence, Resurrection of Jesus Christ is indeed a celebration of Salvation.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the inauguration of a new community, a community that believed in the fulfillment of the prophecy, believed in resurrection of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world. Galilee represents the backwardness and people in margins. Jesus began his ministry in the margins and the resurrected Lord creates a new community in the risen Christ in Galilee. The angel told to women at the tomb to go and tell this
Good news of resurrection of Jesus to his disciples, brothers who were scattered out of fear, fled from communion or fellowship. Jesus’ resurrection inaugurated a transformed community, which is bound in one belief that Jesus is alive. Jesus went to Galilee to strengthen and reveal himself among the weak and perplexed. Thus resurrection inaugurated a new community of believers who would follow the footsteps of the risen Lord. We the Christians are given the privilege to be the members of the newly formed community in risen Christ by faith.
When the women listen and obeyed to the message of Angle, when they are in the mission of proclaiming the good news, Jesus appeared to them and they worshipped Jesus. He talked with them. If we believe that this is true, then let us start proclaiming the message of resurrection with courage for because the Christ who appeared to the women will always be with us. The same message, what angle has given to the women “do not be afraid,” is given to us today as the resurrected Christ be with us until we are the members of the newly formed community in risen Christ by faith.
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us be thankful to God for sending his Son, Jesus Christ to redeem and set us free. Let us lead a life that is transformed and reframed as Christ’s mind, which transcended all barriers. Let us be enriched by being in the new community inaugurated in Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.
I thank God Almighty for enabling me to serve as the vicar of this great congregation for the last 4 years. When I look back, I and my family received innumerable mercies and grace from the Lord. It’s a great honor and privilege to be part of this affluent congregation. You were so kind and gave good support throughout my ministry. From the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank each one of this congregation for your love and concern.
May God Bless you
Lovingly yours,
Johnyachen
