By Prior Beharry
BELIEF in the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives Christians comfort and nothing to fear in death.
There were families coping with loss from murders, accidents, diseases and even Covid-19 but must remember that life does not end with death.
This was the message of Reverend Anthony Rampersad as he delivered the Easter Sunday sermon at the Kelly Village Presbyterian Church.
He asked the congregation, which followed Covid-19 protocols and also included seven first communicants, what does the resurrection of Christ mean to them. Also taking part in the service was student minister of the Armalaya Pastoral Region Cynara Dubé Sookoo.
The minister said it means comfort and not to fear death, adding that if Christ had not risen, everything was useless.
He made reference to the murder of Arima Court clerk Andrea Bharatt and asked a number of questions:
- What is it that gives courage to those who have lost loved ones?
- What is the ultimate hope of the cripple, the amputee, the abused, the burn victim, the oppressed, the victims of lies and injustice?
- How can the parents of brain-damaged or physically disabled children keep from living their entire lives totally and completely depressed?
- Where do the thoughts of a young couple go as they grieve the loss of their baby?
- When a family receives the tragic news that a little daughter was found dead or their dad was killed in a car crash or a son overdosed on drugs, what single truth becomes their whole focus?
- What is the final answer to pain, mourning, terminal diseases, sudden calamities, and fatal accidents?
Rampersad said, “We know the answer. It is the hope and the promise of the resurrection that gives us comfort and strength.
“Secondly, as we face death we know we have nothing to fear. Jesus’ resurrection means that death is defeated once and for all.”
He added, “The resurrection means that Jesus not only defeated death for himself, but that he defeated it for us.”
Rampersad said, “So we do not need to be afraid of death anymore. Christ faced death for us and conquered it. He has risen!”
Noting reports of an upsurge of cases in the country, the minister called for all to observe Covid-19 protocols as they go about their daily lives.
