The Passion Week is the time that Jesus experienced betrayal, beating, punishment, and crucifixion. However, despite all these painful experiences, Jesus never blamed humankind for their sinful deeds. He even prayed to His heavenly father for forgiveness. Though the world had sinned, He willingly sacrificed His life to bring salvation to many. His ultimate act of love, offering His life for the sake of others, serves as a timeless lesson in selflessness.
In today’s world, the life of Jesus stands as a powerful reminder of the value of selfless sacrifice for the greater good. Just as Jesus gave His life to save many, we are called to stand up and make sacrifices to defend our country, protect our people, and preserve peace. His sacrifice teaches us that true greatness lies in giving, even when it costs us everything.
This message was also stated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) in his Easter address. He emphasized the crucial role of sacrifice in Ethiopia’s path to renewal, urging all citizens to contribute to the country’s transformation.
In his message, the Premier described Easter as a symbol of sacrifice, perseverance, and hope, not only for personal redemption but also for national revival. He emphasized that Ethiopia’s renewal requires individual commitment, stating, “We must offer our strength, time, knowledge, and ego for Ethiopia’s resurrection,” he said.
According to him, saving our nation requires a spirit of humility and a commitment to reconciliation and peaceful dialogue. It also demands personal sacrifice. Just as the cross symbolizes suffering, insults, humiliation, and self-denial, the path to peace may involve enduring hardship, misunderstanding, and criticism from others. Thus, the storms and hurricanes we face should not surprise us.
Just as there is no resurrection without the cross, there are also many who are committed to the resurrection of Ethiopia. No matter the challenges we face, we carry Ethiopia’s cross and move forward with purpose and hope, striving to realize Ethiopia’s rebirth, according to Prime Minister Abiy.
Indeed, bringing about Ethiopia’s resurrection requires unity, commitment, peaceful dialogue, and a spirit of forgiveness.
According to the President of the Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia, Pastor Tsadiku Abdo, what sets Christianity different from other religions is the fact that it teaches its followers that Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. Even after His resurrection, Jesus maintained His humility and love for all humankind. He never sought revenge against His enemies, nor did He dwell on the false accusations made against Him. This is the true nature of our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the author and the finisher of our faith and this is what Easter is truly about.
As it is written in the Holy Bible, Jesus is a perfect man and a perfect God. As a man, He experienced the greatest sufferings known to humanity, including the physical pain He endured during the Passion Week, culminating in His crucifixion. However, as the perfect God, He also exemplified forgiveness. This is a profound lesson that He taught to His followers: even in the face of unimaginable suffering, love and forgiveness must always prevail, he remarked.
When asked what individuals can learn from the life of Jesus Christ while celebrating Easter to overcome sufferings, Pastor Tsadiku said that all the journeys Jesus went through offer the best lessons for humankind. This is especially true of His experience in the times of the Passion Week. Between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, there is Saturday, a day when everything looked so dark. It was a time when Jesus cried out to His Father for help, and everyone ran away or hid so as not to see His agony.
“As human beings, we too pass through such kinds of sufferings in our lifetime. There are times when things seem so dark and hopeless, but we must believe that God is there to help us. These are times when we may feel as if God has forsaken us. However, the faith we have in our hearts can take away all the pain and fear, offering us new strength and hope in our moments of helplessness. There is a saying that ‘when you cannot jump over your problem or fly over it, learn to face it; God will make the way’.”
According to the Pastor, all of us will face challenges throughout our lives, but it is endurance and faith that help us overcome them. As Easter teaches us, after the darkness of Friday comes the hope of Sunday. This is a powerful reminder for our daily lives. We may encounter moments when it seems there is no way out, but we must stand firm and hold on to the belief that something good will come out of our struggles.
In this regard, as we mark the Easter Festival, we Ethiopians must experience the power of forgiveness in our day-to-day lives. We must free ourselves from bitterness, hatred, cruelty, deceit, anger, and revenge. As Desmond Tutu once said, “There is no future without forgiveness.” With this in mind, we must avoid all forms of bitterness from our lives and strive to live with compassion with a sense of fraternity. We must also recognize the fact that our God is the God of diversity, and we should learn to love and accept one another.
Indeed, as Ethiopians mark the sacred occasion of Easter, a powerful message resonates deeply within the heart of the celebrations- the importance of practicing forgiveness and avoiding bitterness, reflecting the profound teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly as exemplified during His crucifixion.
Easter, a time of resurrection and renewal, calls individuals to demonstrate the significance of letting go of past grievances and embracing a spirit of reconciliation. Jesus` response to suffering and betrayal on the cross serves as a poignant reminder of the strength found in forgiveness. Despite enduring immense pain, He uttered words of compassion for those who wronged Him, illustrating that love and forgiveness are more powerful than hatred and resentment. This is the message Ethiopians are encouraged to reflect on while celebrating the Easter Festival.
As families and communities come together to commemorate the resurrection, there is an opportunity to engage in dialogue about the importance of forgiveness in overcoming conflict and division. Engaging in communal prayers and sharing personal stories of reconciliation can inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of healing and understanding. Moreover, the teachings of the Easter message encourage individuals to release grudges and cultivate empathy, especially in a society that faces various challenges and social divisions.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2025
