An Easter Message from Bishop Andudu - Nuba mountains
John Chapter 20
The disciples, where threatened by the arrest and the death of Jesus,
they were so afraid and locked themselves in a room in great fear and
hopelessness. They thought that this was going to be the end of their
faith and the faith of Christians. The women were crying, they could
not save Jesus from the hands of the people who had arrested Him,
their teacher was killed, they witnessed everything, he died on the
cross between two criminals (the bad people the thieves) yet he did
not do anything to justify his death or deserve the death he received.
But it was all about you and me to be forgiven and saved.
His death was known to the people in the city, it was the bad news of
the week, the one who heals, feeds and teaches the people, the one who
confronts the evil and the leaders of the community with the truth was
killed. Evil seems like it is too strong in that week, death was
victorious, and it is the most feared enemy of the human being until
it was refitted.
Many of people including disciples and women thought it was over they
should find a way of going back to fishing or find any other work, and
it would have been the end of the Christian faith.
In the time of fear, frustration and hopelessness of Jesus followers
good news was brought by a woman that Jesus was resurrected and is
alive. The disciples rushed to the Tomb, it was true the tomb that was
empty up to today with Jesus resurrected, once and for all.
The resurrection message brought hope, strength and encouragement to
the followers of Jesus and entire Christian nations.
I know that we in the Nuba Mountains and other places in Sudan and
South Sudan, are in that bad week similar to the one that the
disciples and followers of Jesus had, of frustration, fear and
hopelessness.
In our region a meal for a child or elderly person is a challenge, we
live in fear, we don’t know what we are going to eat or give our
children in the following day. We don’t know that we are going to be
alive in the next day, who is going to die next and how? by a bullet
or Air bombardment, or Malaria. Who is going to save me on the next
day, where will I sleep tonight after my house is burned or destroyed?
How will I protect myself from scorpions, snakes or mosquitoes in the
dark of the Cave in the mountains where most of Nuba currently live?
Those are the frustrations and hopelessness of the bad week, this bad
situation is real but Jesus also is real. Brothers and sisters in the
Nuba Mountains and elsewhere, may the good news of resurrection bring
you hope, encouragement and healing. May the resurrected Lord be real
to you, may He be present to each and every one of you.
The bible tells us that the disciples where together with doors locked
for fear, Jesus came and stood among them and said “ peace be with
you” I believe when he said that all fear, sadness and confusion was
replaced by courage, hope, peace and life. We need the same words of
Jesus “Peace be with you” in our various situations, families, cities,
countries and indeed we will have the peace that the world can not
understand, the peace that is not with standards of the world, but the
peace of God that passes all understanding. It will change a lot of
things and will change many people, this is the peace we need in Sudan
and South Sudan. May he bring us peace.
Before his death Jesus forgave those who arrested and planned to kill
him, after His resurrection he did not even attempt revenge, instead
he carried on with message of peace, the only way to prosper and have
peace, is the way of no revenge. Instead show forgiveness and love our
neighbours this is what Sudan and South Sudan needs.
Jesus was able to defeat evil, death, hatred, love of power & wealth
and all forms of corruption. He is alive and can do the same in your
life if you call on him with a sincere heart. He is the savior, the
resurrection and the life.
Followers of Christ where ever you are can you ask in prayer the
resurrected Lord to be present and real to people who are in need.
I stand here in the hope of resurrection to ask you to speak more to
the world on behalf of those who are weak or helpless and give a
helping hand to the needy where ever they are because that is the part
of the resurrection hope.
May the risen Lord bring you light and hope.
Happy Easter to you all - With prayers
Rt. Rev. Andudu Adam Elnail
Bishop of the [ECSSS] Diocese of Kadugli.
No comments:
Post a Comment