Bishop Odedeji Highlights Resurrection as Core of Christian Belief
The Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, has articulated that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead serve as the foundational bedrock of the Christian faith and the essential cornerstone of believers' hope. Odedeji shared these profound insights during his Easter Homily last Sunday, where he preached on the theme: "The Empty Tomb And Its Implications," at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC) located in Ikeja, Lagos.
Easter: The Pivotal Event in Christianity
Bishop Odedeji described Easter as the most significant day in Christiandom, underscoring that the biblical account of the stone being rolled away provides tangible proof that the tomb was indeed empty. He emphasized that this emptiness of the tomb irrefutably demonstrates the reality of Christ's resurrection. According to Odedeji, if Christ had not risen, Christian preaching and faith would be rendered utterly useless and devoid of meaning.
Quoting from John 20:1-18, the cleric urged Christians to anchor their faith and trust firmly in Jesus Christ and His resurrection. He elaborated that every aspect of a Christian's life—including forgiveness, future aspirations, life purpose, and prayers—revolves around the pivotal event of Christ's resurrection. Odedeji stated unequivocally that the reality of Christian existence is intrinsically dependent on the empty tomb.
The Empty Tomb: A Symbol of Victory and Divine Power
"The empty tomb, brothers and sisters, is our victory," Odedeji declared. "It is God's signed receipt, and document that the price for sin has been fully paid. So, it is the proof that love is stronger than hate. Light is stronger than darkness and light is stronger than death." He noted that witnesses such as Mary Magdalene and other disciples personally observed the empty tomb, and Jesus subsequently appeared to the disciples, including Thomas, who initially doubted.
Calling on Christians to cultivate unwavering faith and believe in God's authority, Odedeji asserted, "we work only by faith and not by sight. Faith is our starting point to travel with God. Without faith we should forget God. Those who will enjoy the fullness of God are those who demonstrate faith."
Evidence and Benefits of the Empty Tomb
To illustrate the emptiness of the tomb, Odedeji enumerated six key points: Jesus called his own by name; the empty tomb permanently transformed the Christian relationship with God; and Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples in the Upper Room, among others. On the benefits derived from the empty tomb, Odedeji disclosed that it demonstrates God's divine power, affirms God's final authority in every situation, and shows that amid hopelessness, God can still intervene, meaning it is never over for a child of God.
