Easter celebration: Christian leaders call for sacrifices, love

Christian leaders and organisations have urged Christians and Ghanaians in general to use the Easter period to make the needed sacrifices to make the country and the world a better place. 

They have asked everyone to reach out in love to the marginalised, the weak and the dying to make society a better place.

They said Easter should signify renewal, forgiveness and unwavering faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which forms the cornerstone of the Christian belief.

The religious leaders and organisations, who made these statements in Easter messages, are the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), the Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu; the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye; the Presiding Prelate of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Rt Rev. Dr Hilliard K. Dela Dogbe, and the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

Catholic Bishops

In its message, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference said Easter was a privileged time to encounter the risen Jesus and to listen to His instructions concerning the Kingdom of God.

Easter, it said, was a celebration of the Paschal Mystery of our Lord’s suffering, death and resurrection, adding that it remained “the celebration of the summit of our salvation history”. 

“It is significant for all Christians because the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a source of hope and new life for us and, indeed, for all humanity,” it said.

“In today's world, the resurrection of Jesus carries immense spiritual significance. It serves as a beacon of hope amid suffering and uncertainty.

The resurrection assures believers that death is not the end and that through faith, there is the promise of eternal life.

It encourages Christians to live a life of purpose, resilience and unwavering faith, knowing that they are part of a greater divine plan,” the conference added. 

The resurrection, it said, was also a call to all peoples of the world in general and Christians, in particular, to do all they could to break the barriers that kept them separated or divided.

“This is because through the cross and the resurrection, God has created from all the races of this world, one common race and one family for Himself,” it said.

Methodist

Most Rev. Asamoah-Gyadu said the story of Easter was a powerful testament to God's love and redemption, reminding mankind of the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ.

Consequently, he said the Easter season facilitated a deeper intimacy in our walk with God and with one another.

“Let us strive to live out the values of love, compassion and forgiveness that Jesus embodied.

May His teachings guide us as we navigate the complexities of life,” he emphasised.

Most Rev. Asamoah-Gyadu said Easter represented a chance to start anew, addressing environmental concerns such as galamsey and water pollution; social Issues, including the carnage on roads, bribery, corruption and extreme partisanship.

“The Easter story empowers us to live with hope, trust and forgiveness, focusing on life's possibilities rather than limitations.

By renewing our minds, we can triumph over fears and insecurities, live with honesty and integrity and consecrate our jobs to God, spreading peace and love,” he said.

AME Zion

Rt Rev. Dr Dogbe said Easter was an embodiment of God’s unfailing and unconditional love for humanity and His desire to reconcile “us to Himself and, thus, enable the best in us to pour forth.”

“Easter further reminds us that sacrifice precedes glory, even as the cross precedes the crown.

Each of us is called to make personal sacrifices and let go of personal comforts in order that we attain a better tomorrow. 

“This is particularly important in the light of the potential global economic crisis occasioned by tariff increases imposed by President Trump, together with the residual effects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war,” he said.

“On the local scene, we are confronted by the existential threat posed by illegal mining, the unrest in Bawku, the sanitation challenges engulfing our cities and the urgent need to foster peace among our people and a bipartisan approach to issues of national interest,” he added.

Rt Rev. Dr Dogbe said while every one was committed to making the needed sacrifices, it was critical that the country’s leaders led in that regard by being modest in their use of its collective resources.  

“The triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter gives us a living hope, not only for the future but for the present! Hope that no matter how dire our circumstances, we can and we shall overcome,” he said. 

Pentecost

The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Nyamekye, said Easter and similar Christian holidays such as Christmas should not be seen as mere secular occasions or holidays.

"We must not allow the world's trends to dictate how we celebrate this important occasion, thereby reducing it to mere entertainment and parties.

"I, therefore, urge that we use the celebration of Easter as an avenue to actively teach, preach and project the relevance of Jesus’ death and resurrection to humanity.

This will renew our faith and cause a revival that will endure for a long time in the hearts of our members," he said.

In the light of the aforementioned issues, he said: "We need to encourage and mobilise our members to participate effectively in this year’s Easter Convention”.
Presby

Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye said as "we commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter, we are inspired by the power of love, unity and hope in the face of adversity because we find solace in the promise of new life and renewal".

He asked Christians and Ghanaians to be reminded that no situation was beyond God's power to transform.

"In the face of the world's current economic difficulties, social unrest, and political uncertainties, the resurrection of Jesus Christ fills our hearts with hope to lift our eyes above despair.

Just as the disciples were filled with renewed hope when they found the empty tomb, so must we fix our gaze on the living Christ, who assures us that He is with us to the end of the age," he said.

Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye said Easter was God's loudest declaration that death, suffering, and hardship did not have the final word.