Our News.

Author: Memos Sakellariou

(Luke 1:78-79)
“from the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high has visited us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Every Easter, millions of Greeks, both believers and non-believers, celebrate Easter. It is the only holiday when almost everyone is outside a church at midnight, holding a candle. They wait to receive the “Holy Light” and then hear the wonderful “Christ is Risen” from the priest’s lips. And there, outside the churches, you see thousands of people kissing one another and responding, “He is truly Risen.”

Why do we do this? Certainly not because it is a tradition, as some might think.

We do it because it was the dawn of a new day when Jesus’ disciples heard the news that Christ had risen from the dead! This news changed everything.

(Matthew 28:1-6)“NOW AFTER the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards trembled for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Why is Easter so important?

Because it was proven that the words Jesus had spoken were true. Jesus had made some extraordinary claims: He had declared that He is the Son of God and that He is the only way of Salvation, which leads to Heaven.

(John 14:6)“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Throughout human history, many have claimed to be gods. The difference with Jesus is that He is the only one who proved that He was God.

The Resurrection of Jesus is the most significant event of the ages. It divided history into B.C. and A.D. eras. Thus, every time you write the date, you use Jesus as a point of reference. And all this happened at the dawn of a new day.

(Luke 1:78)“from the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high has visited us,”

Consider the word “mercy.” Reflect for a moment on your life and God’s mercy towards you. Think about how many times He has protected you and answered your prayers.

We need God’s mercy in our lives. God wants you to enter His family. All you need to do is repent for your life and for every sin.

What will happen if I ask for God’s mercy in my life?
Mercy does two things:
A) It forgives me. That is, it settles my entire past and all my mistakes.
B) It sets me free. That is, it takes care of my path towards my future.

Many of us find it difficult to live our future because we cannot escape our past.

Listen to what Jesus says about Himself.

(Isaiah 61:1)“THE SPIRIT of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”

He speaks of captives, prisoners of the soul. Because there are things within us that hold us captive. These are unforgiveness, revenge, jealousy, malice, envy, anxiety. And of course, some are bound by secret addictions.

Jesus said in:
(John 12:47)
“…for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”
Let us not deceive ourselves, the time of judgment will come. Nevertheless, now is a day of mercy and grace.

The First Easter, Jesus achieved our Salvation and sealed it with His Resurrection. He Himself came as the LIGHT of the world to enlighten us all. It is not the light of the candle that helps us. It is Christ, who Himself is the LIGHT.

How will you celebrate this Easter? Will you find your freedom? Will you ask Jesus to save you? The step is simple. It is repentance towards Him.

Do not reject God’s mercy.