By Leo Udtohan
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For Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the assurance
that God can overcome every fear we have, including death itself. The
risen Christ at God the Father of All Mankind in Inabanga town, Bohol. |
For Christians, the first witnesses to the reality of the empty tomb were women.
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James started early because they wanted time to cherish the memory of Jesus, who had died two days earlier.
Their journey to the tomb was motivated by love and faith they had in Jesus.
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here..."
Eyewitness testimony of the resurrection is the basis of faith in Jesus as Christ.
Among Jesus' disciples, there were 500 other witnesses. And the Jewish Law of Moses required at least two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6).
God made his risen Son known first to women, and only later to the Apostles.
Women were given the honor of passing on the best news ever transmitted—Jesus is alive!!!
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What better way to honor the sacrifice Jesus made, and celebrate the hope He offered to mankind through His sacrifice, than with songs of praise and love!
Because He Lives
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth a living just because He lives
Oh Happy Day
Oh happy day (Oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed)
Oh when he washed (When Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (Oh happy day)
Oh happy day (Oh happy day)
Washed by the Blood of the Lamb
We are washed by the blood of the Son on the cross
We are washed by the blood of the Lamb
All our guilt, all our shame
Were his wounds and his pain
We are washed by the blood of the Lamb
How Great Thou Art
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Blessed Assurance
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
Christ Is Risen! Hallelujah!
Christ is risen! Hallelujah!
Risen our victorious Head!
Sing His praises! Hallelujah!
Christ is risen from the dead.
* * *
Passover seder
Jews observe Passover (Pesach) around the same time as Holy Week and Easter.
Passover begins this year on the evening of Friday, April 15, and ends on the evening of Saturday, April 23.
It retells and celebrates the story of the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt. It is a favorite holiday. At its heart is the seder, a special dinner with intricate ritual and meal filled with songs.
I thank my sister Arlene who baked unleavened bread for our seder. My other sister, Rowena, also made kosher lumpia and spaghetti.
This year's first seder night was joined by my nephews, nieces and cousins.
And we said these prayers:
Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
Blessed are You, G-d, our G-d, King of the universe, who, in His goodness, feeds the whole world with grace, with kindness and with mercy. Because His loving-kindness is infinite.
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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.
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