By Rev Dr. Reuben Ibitoye
INTRODUCTION
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a great blessing to the human race, the angel said “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said, come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matt. 28:6). Infact the angel came down to roll away the stone at the tomb of Jesus. The stone was rolled away, not that Jesus might escape but that witnesses might see the evidence of an empty tomb.
Celebration of Christ resurrection is an annual joyful event for Christians all over the world, during Easter Christians are reminded of Christ second coming and the great commission are emphasized to the parishioners, it is on a sad note that this year celebration will be celebrated in our homes in order to curtail the spread of the deadly plague.
THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth to show us the way (John 14:6), at the peak of His gospel proclamation he was arrested by Roman soldiers, tried before Herod, Pilate, Sanhedrin and Chief Priests, they were unable to establish facts to sentence him to death but because the religious leaders felt that Jesus was getting more popular and His doctrine of new way of life is being accepted by many. This made them to compel Pilate to sentence Him to death by crucifixion.
Infact, Pilate was reluctant in delivering his judgment on Christ, he himself said “…I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Matt. 27:24). Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, but he disregarded his own conscience. He followed the wish of the multitude to truncate justice. He sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. Crucifixion was the most extremely ugly Roman method of execution, which was reserved only for slaves and criminals. The victim to be executed was to be nailed or tied to a crossbeam which was then mounted to an upright wooden pole. Crucifixion was despised and therefore not practiced by the Jews, the disgust of Jews concerning this type of punishment was evident in Deut. 21:23, that “…he who is hanged is accursed of God”, Apostle Paul used this injunction in Gal. 3:13 to draw an analogy to Christ, saying that just as the corpse of the criminal was under the curse of God, so Christ’ hanging on the cross bore the judgment of God, and the shame every condemned criminal face. Jesus taking upon Himself the curse of the law, redeemed all of us from that curse. Jesus was buried through the generosity of Joseph of Arimathea, he released his own prepared tomb for Jesus to be buried. Beloved! On the third day Jesus resurrected in a glorious and amazing manner. Christ’ resurrection authenticated the Christian faith as the only way that leads to God.
THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND 2020 EASTER CELEBRATION
The outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread like wide fire, from 1 case in Nigeria, it has spread to over 231 confirmed cases with 5 deaths (as at the time of this write-up). Kwara State has just recorded two confirmed cases. Before the confirmation of an index case in Kwara, the state government had already announced a lockdown order; this means that all hands must be on deck to curtail the spread of this menace. The bottom line is that Christians will celebrate this year Easter, indoor.
Celebrating year 2020 Easter indoor does not belittle or demean Christ. Celebrating Easter indoor simply means that Christians in their various homes will have the opportunity to pray, seek the face of God and sing songs of praises to God who deserves our praises all the times. If Jesus tarries, we shall have the privilege to celebrate more Easter in good health.
THE POTENCY OF CHRIST’ RESURRECTION OVER COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The power and authority of Christ’ resurrection continues to work wonders, the potency of His resurrection is limitless and it is an ever present power to combat any troubled situation which any of His children may find themselves. Jesus Christ Himself after His resurrection announced to the world. “…All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). The potency of Christ resurrection over COVID-19 pandemic include:
- Christ’ resurrection defeats Satan and his hosts- The death and resurrection of Christ bruise Satan at the head (Gen. 3:15). Through this Christians have timeless victory over forces of darkness. The cross dethroned Satan’s uncontested rulership in the world and Christ’ further binding him. The resurrection of Christ defeated principalities and powers, and Christ made a public spectacle of them giving full dominion to the redeemed people (Col. 2:14-15). Satan who is the author and originator of COVID-19 has been defeated centuries ago at the cross, Christians must rejoice because victory is ours.
- The resurrection of Christ gives way for personal access to God- Every Christian has access to God. During this time of staying indoor because of COVID-19, it is an opportunity to call upon God to heal our land, time of fervent prayer is now. The moment Jesus gave up his spirit “the curtain of the temple was torn into two from top to bottom…” (Matt. 27:49-50), this simply means that everyone has access to God Almighty.
- Cancellation of the reign of death- Anyone who is infected with coronavirus knows that the target of this deadly disease is death, the good-news is that Christ’ resurrection has cancelled the reign of death, we are going to see the end of this plague, and it shall not see our ends. The scripture declared its cancellation, “where, oh death, is your victory. Where, oh death, is your sting… thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…” I Cor. 15:55, 57. Beloved, this is not the time to bow our heads in sorrow because of the ravaging deadly plague known as COVID-19, but time to rejoice and celebrate Christ’ victory over death.
- Cancellation of Sin’s power- The root cause of COVID-19 is sin, the contemporary human world has engaged in sin that provoke God daily, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that He had made human beings on the earth and His heart was deeply troubled” (Gen. 6:5-6). The sins of greed, stealing, murder, homosexuality, lesbianism, and injustice, etc (II Chron. 7:14), are among what is making our God to be unhappy with modern world. The resurrection of Christ completed the work of salvation and redemption for mankind.
- Bodily healing for all- The junction we all find ourselves over the ravaging COVID-19 is that there is no medication for now, medical experts are just using combinations to treat the virus. However, leaders in various strata are calling for serious prayer to heal our land. Jesus Christ while on earth, did a lot of miraculous healings, deliverances and even raised the dead back to life, (cf Mk. 1:32, 34). The power and authority in Christ name is still working wonder of healing and deliverance Isa. 53:4-5. Coronavirus cannot stand in the ways of Christ’ deliverance; God had exalted Christ and gave him name above every other name, that through Christ’s name healing and deliverance occur. Beloved! In this terrible time, let us explore and use the power in Christ’ name over COVID-19.
- Resurrection of Christ brought infilling of power and anointing of the Holy Spirit believers- Every believer has the anointing and Holy Spirit upon him/her to sustain the individual during this perilous time, “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” Acts.1:8.
- The age long curse on man has been erased completely- man was cursed at Eden Gen. 3:16-19, Jesus became a curse for man in order to redeem us from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13). COVID-19 is a curse from the pit of hell over this generation, the resurrection of Christ has given us healing and blessings instead of curse, we are no longer under any curse, we are reigning with Christ in His full dominion.
CONCLUSION COVID-19 became a reality to us in Kwara State when the first case was confirmed, it is high time for us Kwarans to move closer to God than before and observe all medical advices over COVID-19. Above all, the resurrection of Christ gives power over this ravaging plague. Let me conclude by encouraging everyone with one of our hymns: “Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has began: Alleluia! The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions hath dispersed; let shouts of holy joy outburst; Alleluia!”. At the end of COVID-19 all of us shall sing the songs of victory.
