The essence of Easter according to local pastors

POLOKWANE – Over the Easter weekend, many take the time to go to church, take Holy Communion and spend time with family.

But how many of us actually understand the true essence of Easter?

The Polokwane Review spoke to local pastors to find out the true meaning of Easter and why it is important to commemorate the day.

Marise Nel, founder of Fearless Truth Ministries, explained that Jesus died for our sins on the cross. He died so that we can have a personal relationship with God and so that our sins can be washed away.

“I sat in a cinema years ago watching The Passion of the Christ in tears because of how the death of Jesus Christ was depicted. That is the closest we will ever get to understanding the severity of what he went through for us,” she said.

Nel expressed that Jesus loves us so much that he desired to have a relationship with us and He knew if He didn’t die on the cross for our sins, we would have no life after death.

“We would not be saved and enter heaven. Even as He was hung on the cross, He forgave the people who did it. Can you imagine the love that Jesus had for us to go through all that? Three days later, He rose from the dead. He conquered death,” she said.

Percy Mashimbye, pastor at Renewed Hope Church explained that Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the sins of man.

Mashimbye stated that it is important to celebrate this day because it signifies a new beginning for people who believe.

“In celebrating, we are proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and He died for our sins. In understanding this, it means we repent from our sins and start anew following the commandments of God,” he said.

Timothy Ramoshaba, Bible League Limpopo ministry coordinator, stated that we celebrate Easter because it recognizes the death of an old way of living and resurrection into our new life with Christ.

“Christianity does require a death to self, but the resurrection we experience in a spiritual sense and the resurrection of the body we have yet to experience in the afterlife, gives us ample cause for celebration.We have full confidence that no matter what happens to us on Earth, we can experience eternal joy with God in heaven. No wonder many brothers and sisters continue praising Jesus even when they experience persecution and martyrdom because we have a greater hope and promise than earthly life,” he said.

Ramoshaba quotes bible scripture John 11:25 ESV: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,”