Primate Ositelu’s Easter Message

Beloved in Christ I wish to congratulate you all today Easter sunday which is the commemoration of the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the third day after he was crucified and buried.

This was confirmed when the angel of the Lord told Mary Magdalene and the other women who came to the tomb to anoint His body on resurrection morning, “He is risen…” (Matthew 28:6a NKJV).
Similarly His several appearances to the disciples and some other witnesses attest to this incontrovertible fact. He ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. Hallelujah!

Beloved in Christ, the season is the demonstration of God’s supreme and unconditional love for mankind. “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).

Similarliy it is the confirmation of our Lord Jesus Christ’s love for believers “Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 13:14 NKJV).

Our Saviour’s death and resurrection are the fulfilment of God’s redemption plan for man. Jesus reconciled us back to God. The resurrection encapsulates. His victory over sin death and satan, thereby confirming our transformation from victims to victors and to a new life of grace and love in Christ. He has nailed all our sorrows problems, worries, sicknesses, diseases and challenges on the cross.

He said “it is finished.” (John 19:30 NKJ).
His victory is our victory. Our salvation, redemption and eternal life are sealed in Christ forever. He has paid the price with His precious blood. Glory be to God!

People of God, it is also noteworthy that the resurrection of our Redeemer is the foundation cornerstone and bedrock of Christianity. If Christ had not resurrected, there would have been no Christians or Christianity. Apostle Paul said “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless…” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

Glory be to God for His rising from the dead!

May I at this juncture therefore urge you to rejoice and glorify God for the gift of redemption and life to celebrate Easter 2023. Endeavour to live a righteous life of peace and love as exhibited by Christ, religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and show compassion towards one another. Eschew hatred, tribalism, bigotry, nepotism, wickedness and corruption so that Nigeria can move forward.

On the 2023 general elections, we give God the glory for the successful completion of the presidential and national assembly as well as the governorship and the state houses of assembly elections. I hereby seize this opportunity to congratulate the winners, but more importantly to appeal to all aggrieved parties to seek redress legally through the election tribunal and courts of law and avoid heating the polity unnecessarily. As this will not augur well for peace, security and our nascent democracy.

Similarly, I urge my prelate colleagues to continue to intercede for Nigeria for good governance, peace, security and prosperity to reign in our land, so that we can occupy our rightful position in the comity of nations.

Beloved may Easter 2023 usher in salvation peace joy love and prosperity for you all, in the mighty name of Jesus. Happy Easter!

Signed
His Holiness, The Most Rev. Dr. Rufus Okikiola Ositelu – the Primate of The Church of the Lord (TCL) Worldwide and President of World Council of Churches for Africa.
April 9th 2023.