Easter, which starts with the Palm Sunday that introduces the Holy Week, for Catholics, offers Christians the opportunity for sober reflection, attitudinal change and privilege to assess the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to mankind. PAUL OKAH reports.
To Christians, Easter represents a significant period in the Christian calendar to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, after His 33 years sojourn on the earth, and the sacrifices He made to bring eternal salvation to mankind.
While the death of Jesus Christ signifies mortality and the ultimate sacrifice of God’s begotten son for the salvation of mankind, the resurrection symbolises hope, renewal and the promise of eternal life, especially as Christians use the period to reflect on faith, values and personal growth.
Nevertheless, just like the Christmas period, Easter celebration often witnesses many social activities. For instance, many fix weddings, traditional marriages and other social events that would encourage gathering of family members thereby offering a time for reflection, celebration and connection with others in the spirit of love of others through sacrifices, sharing and fellowship.
Nigerians speak
Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Bmuko, Bwari Area Council, Pastor Benjamin Abu, said that Easter is a period for Christians to be hopeful and amend their ways.
He said “Easter is a period for Nigerians, especially Christians, to reflect on the sacrifices of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary and to amend their ways. John 3:16 tells us that ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ Jesus Christ has already paid the supreme price for the salvation of mankind. Why then must we continue in sin?
“Every day, we come to Church or listen to the word of God, but when we go back home, we continue in sin. We keep malice with our supposed friends, neighbours, family members, colleagues in the office and so on. We totally forget what it means to be Christians. This is not supposed to be so. As a true Christian, someone created in God’s image, you should be Christ-like and do whatever pleases God.
“The period of Easter offers us the opportunity to check ourselves and change our ways in order to please God. It does not please God for His creation to engage in petty crimes or to disobey the government of the day. In fact, the Bible admonishes us to obey authorities and pray for our leaders who are representatives of God on earth. So, when last did you pray for your leaders as a Christian? When last did you pray for Nigeria? Are you paying your tax to the government? The above are questions every Christian should ask himself as we celebrate Easter”, he said.
Also speaking with our reporter, a secondary school teacher in Gwarinpa, Abuja, Mrs. Grace Mgbo, said Easter is a period for families to get together, engage in social activities more so that schools are on holiday. She said she would travel home for marriage engagements.
“Apart from the religious aspect of Easter, which marks the death and resurrection of Christ, it is also a period for teachers like me to relax and engage in social activities. As a rule, due to the hustle and bustle experienced in December, I always overlook Christmas as I prefer to travel home during Easter. This cuts cost. There is usually no addition of prices to commodities or transportation hike during Easter, unlike what we usually experience during Christmas.
“Added to the school holiday is the public holiday the federal government always declares to felicitate with Christians. As a teacher, I always look forward to the Easter holiday. I have three marriages of family members and neighbours in the village to attend this weekend, so I will travel to the village on Friday. I will also use the opportunity to celebrate with and interact with family members and friends in the village, so Easter is always important to me,” she said.
On her part, a civil servant, Agatha Asuquo, a Jehovah’s Witness, said Easter is an opportunity for spiritual growth, saying the resurrection of Jesus Christ is more important than any celebration.
“Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Easter because it is not supported by the Bible. The Bible does not command or support the celebration of Easter. Instead, as Jehovah’s Witnesses, we focus on commemorating the death of Jesus Christ, which we believe is the most important event in human history. We commemorate the Lord’s Evening Meal also known as the Memorial of Christ’s Death, to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice and its implications on our lives.
“The Lord’s Evening Meal serves as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and its significance for humanity. Christ’s sacrifice offers hope for eternal life. According to 1 Corinthians 15:45 and 1 Peter 3:18, Jesus was resurrected as a spirit, rather than in bodily form. Jesus’ resurrection is a proof of God’s power and the validation of His sacrifice. Jesus’ resurrection is essential to the plan of salvation and the hope for eternal life.
“John 5:28, 29 and Acts 24:15 offer hope for those who have died, which is a key part of God’s plan to restore humanity. Only a limited number of individuals, the anointed class, will be resurrected to heaven. Majority of mankind will be resurrected to life on a paradise earth. In a nutshell, we prioritise Bible-based practices and avoid celebrations we believe are not supported by the scripture,” she said.
Clergy advises Nigerians
In his Easter message made available to Blueprint Weekend on Wednesday, Bishop, Diocese of Nike (Anglican Communion), The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Christian Onyeka Onyia, advised Christians to use the opportunity of Easter to pray for the country and amend their ways, saying “God is calling leaders, families, churches and individuals back to Himself.”
He said, “Easter is a powerful reminder that out of pain comes purpose and from death springs forth eternal life. In a world marred by chaos, confusion and deepening despair, Christ’s resurrection remains our anchor of hope and the ultimate evidence of God’s unfailing mercy.
“Over 2,000 years ago, on a dark Friday, it seemed that evil had triumphed. Christ, the Son of God, hung bruised and broken on a Roman cross. But three days later, the stone was rolled away and the grave was empty! This single event changed the course of history. Christ conquered sin, death and the grave, offering salvation and restoration to all who believe. His resurrection assures us that no situation is beyond God’s power to redeem—not even the crises we face today.
“God’s mercy is the covenant bridge between humanity’s failures and divine redemption. It is this mercy that we desperately need in our time. The signs of the times are clear and alarming. As documented by global agencies, over 200,000 people have been killed in conflict-related violence since 2023. Wars in Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen and Syria rage on. Terrorism has displaced over 100 million people worldwide. In Nigeria, we have lost over 350,000 lives to Boko Haram, banditry and communal clashes. Our people are weary. Our land is groaning.
“Hunger and poverty now define the daily reality of over 133 million Nigerians. Our youth face mental health crises, drug addiction, joblessness and spiritual confusion. The nation mourns the recent mass killings and destruction of villages in Plateau State yet again. We condemn in the strongest terms the repeated kidnappings, ritual killings and senseless violence against innocent citizens. The government must rise above mere statements. Justice must be served. Impunity must end. The blood of the innocent cries out.
“This Easter, I call on our leaders from the presidency to the grassroots to reject corruption, embrace justice and govern with the fear of God. Leadership without integrity invites judgment. Citizens too must reject violence, greed, immorality and deceit. We must return to the altar of prayer, repentance and truth. We must turn from wickedness—corruption, hatred, greed, injustice, immorality—and seek God’s face. No amount of political reform or economic policy will succeed without moral revival. As 2 Chronicles 7:14 declares, repentance precedes healing.
“We call on our leaders to embrace accountable, responsive, and capable leadership. A nation without righteous leadership is doomed to mourn, as Proverbs 29:2 reminds us. Nigeria cannot rise divided along ethnic and religious lines. We must bury hate and build bridges”, he stated.