RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST:
AFFIRMATION OF LIFE HERE ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN
Luke 24:6-7 recounts the pivotal moment when the angels announced to the women at the empty tomb, “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” These verses encapsulate the essence of the Christian faith – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The words of the angels unveil the profound implications of this event, exploring its theological significance, its transformative power, and its enduring relevance for believers today.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the central tenet of Christian belief, distinguishing Christianity from all other religions. It is the defining moment that validates Jesus’ claims to divinity and authority. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus foretold His death and resurrection, proclaiming Himself to be the Son of God who would conquer sin and death. His resurrection fulfills Old Testament prophecies and confirms His identity as the long-awaited Messiah.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but a cosmic victory with far-reaching implications. It marks the decisive defeat of sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Through His resurrection, Jesus triumphs over the forces of evil and inaugurates a new era of redemption and restoration. As the Apostle Paul declares, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). The resurrection is the lynchpin of God’s plan of salvation, offering forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life to all who believe.
Moreover, the resurrection of Jesus Christ embodies the hope of resurrection for believers. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too will believers be raised to newness of life. The resurrection assures believers of their future resurrection and eternal inheritance in the kingdom of God. As Paul writes, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). The resurrection is the guarantee of our own resurrection and the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore all things.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ also has transformative implications for the lives of believers. It empowers believers to live with courage, purpose, and hope, knowing that nothing can ultimately defeat them because Christ has conquered death. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within believers, enabling them to overcome sin, live victoriously, and bear witness to the risen Christ. As Paul writes, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). The resurrection is the source of spiritual renewal and empowerment for believers, equipping them to fulfill their God-given purpose and mission.
Furthermore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ serves as the foundation of Christian faith and the basis of Christian hope. The resurrection validates the truth claims of Christianity and provides assurance to believers that their faith is not in vain. As Paul writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). The resurrection is the bedrock of Christian faith, inspiring believers to trust in the promises of God and live in joyful obedience to Christ.
The resurrection of Christ significantly empowers those who are mourning, the downtrodden, the insignificant and the socially outcast people who followed him all the way to the Cross. When Jesus said to Mary by the tomb, “do not cling on to me” (John 20:27), Jesus was indirectly telling Mary, do not cry over me and as I am not in the tomb anymore, go and proclaim to others that I am alive, spread the great news, death is conquered by the risen Christ!” The resurrected Christ told his disciples that He is with them till the end of the world (Mat 28:20), and the words of Jesus Christ “fear not, let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:27) should remain a constant reminder that we share the life of the resurrected Christ.
The most painful thing for humans is the death of our loved ones. Not just the death per se, but the consequences of death – total silence of the person, loss of the voices, the love, the care, everything that embodies the person. When the physical existence completely becomes a history, the vacuum and the void become unbearable for those who are alive. Even as the Christian believes that death is overpowered by the resurrected Christ, yet, it takes years together to accept the reality and take the pain of separation. But the beauty of Christ’s resurrection lies in the subsequent healing of our pain with the knowledge that the dead will rise again in glory as we live in Christ even as death does not have power anymore.
In conclusion, the risen Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith, the cosmic victory over sin and death, and the source of hope, transformation, and empowerment for believers. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just an event in history but a living reality that continues to shape the lives of believers and the course of human history. Christ is risen, therefore, there is hope for the world, for the risen Lord reigns forevermore and shares our pain and joy.
By Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi
A/D Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation
NEWS FROM THE ODISHA AUXILIARY: SCRIPTURE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME ON MARCH 7, 2024:
We are thankful to God for giving us the opportunities to have Scripture Engagement and distribution of Scriptures free of cost to the needy women in Odisha Auxiliary. It was truly a blessed time being engaged with the Word of God at the Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church, Nawarangpur, Dist. Nawarangpur.
The beneficiaries from different churches were very happy to receive the Telugu Bibles in their hands. Many of them wanted to share their testimony about how they were waiting to receive Bible in their heart’s language, they were highly impressed and expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Bible Society of India for giving them the most precious gift in life, that is the Bible. The pastors from different churches also came along and joined the Scripture Engagement programme. Through this project, we could touch the lives of the people who are financially, emotionally, mentally challenged and having a thirst for the Word of God. We praise & thank Almighty God for this amazing opportunity as all of them were eagerly waiting for this event.
Testimonies
- Mrs. Prabhamani is from the state of Odisha. She said with full tears in her eyes “Many a time, when I go through pain and distress, I trust the Lord and with prayer I read the Bible. When I read the Bible, God speaks to me and comfort me through His word. Over the years, my Bible became worn out but I could not afford to get a new one on my own. To my surprise I got the information that Bible Society friends are coming to Nawarangpur for the Scripture Engagement programme with free distribution. I then decided to surely attend the programme, there I got a new Bible that I had been waiting for many months. I thank God and the Bible Society of India for reaching out to our village with this programme.
- Mrs. Braja Kumari Laxman is another lady from Nawarangpur district of Odisha. She said she was so joyful when she heard about the coming of the Bible Society of India in their village to have a Bible programme. She thanked God for the opportunity given to her to attend the meeting arranged by BSI, Odisha Auxiliary. She is one of the elders of the Church. Many months ago, she asked one of her brothers to get a Bible but she could not get a new one to replace her worn out Bible. When receiving the new Bible she was overjoyed and promised to read as often as she could to learn more about the love of God for poor people like her, so that she can share her joy and the Word of God more vibrantly to others who cannot read the Bible due to old age, and lack of knowledge to read and write and for some, who are blind and cannot see.
NEWS FROM THE KERALA AUXILIARY
Wills Memorial CSI Church, Mangad, Trivandrum: The Bible Sunday was observed and received special offerings at Wills Memorial CSI Church, Mangad, Thirumala, Trivandrum on 17th March 2024. We thank vicar Rev Israel Thomas, Asst. Vicar Rev Dr Rajeev John, Mr J Mohan Kumar, Church Secretary and Bible Society Thirumala branch Secretary, and entire congregation for their great support for Bible cause. We appreciate the great co-ordination and sacrificial service of Regional Co-ordinator Chev Dr Koshy M George.
CSI MM Church,Trivandrum:
On 18th February 2024, Bible Sunday was observed and conducted door collection at CSI MM Church, Trivandrum. We thank for the great contribution through door collection. We thank the great support of vicar Rev. Dr L E Sahanom, Rev Dr R Gnanadas, Mr Premdad Justus congregation President, and entire congregation for their great support for Bible cause. We appreciate the co-ordination and grea commitment of the Regional Co-ordinator Chev Dr Koshy M George. We also thank Bible society leaders at MM Church, Mr. Immanual Henry, Mr. Sajan, Mrs. Raichel Joseph, Mrs. Girley, Mrs. Sajitha and others for the participation.
Bible Conventions, Exhibitions Cum Sales at Maramon Convention:
The Kerala Auxiliary Bible Stall & new Bibles Release happened at the world famous One week Maramon Convention on 11th to 18th Feb. 2024. The Bible Society of India publication, new variety Bibles printed at Amity Press was released at the inaugural day of the 129th Maramon Convention by Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Auxiliary Committee Member). Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa (BSI Executive Committee Member & Working Committee Member), Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffragan Metropolitan (Auxiliary former President), Very Rev. K. Y. Jacob (BSI Executive Committee Alternate Member& Auxiliary Committee Member), Rev. Abey T. Mammen (Sabha Secretary, Mar Thoma Church), Rev. Abey K. Joshua (General Secretary, Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association), Rev. Jacob Antony Koodathinkal (Auxiliary Secretary), Clergies and lay members were present during the release function. The Auxiliary President Most Rev Dr Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos Metropolitan attended the Convention and visited Bible stall. At the convention venue, the Bible Stall was opened for one week at the vast sand bed of the Pamba river with different new varieties of imported & Indian print Bibles. During this one week, many clergies, pastors, church leaders, branch members and believers visited the Bible Stall and acquired Bibles of their choices.
CSI East Kerala Diocesan Convention, 4th to 11th Feb. 2024: The Auxiliary Secretary attended CSI East Kerala Diocesan Convention on 10th February 2024, and shared the Word of God and about the ministries of Bible Society. The BSI Kerala Auxiliary is grateful for the support and encouragement to the BSI Ministry by the CSI Kerala Diocese and truly thankful to the Diocesan leadership.
Assemblies of God Malayalam District Council Convention, 29th Jan. to 4th Feb. 2024: On 1st February 2024, the Auxiliary Secretary attended the Annual General Convention of the Assemblies of God Malayalam District Council. He shared from the Word and updated about the ministry of Bible Society. It was a historical moment as the Assembly handed over their Bible Sunday donation collected from all their churches along with the collections during the General Convention. And it was an added foot step of AG church along with Mar Thoma, CSI and St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India, from 2023 onwards in observing Bible Sunday systemically in all their churches.
We thank the great support and initiative of Rev. T. J. Samuel, Superintendent; Rev. Dr. Issac V. Mathew, Assistant Superintendent & former Auxiliary committee member; Rev. Thomas Philip, District Secretary; Rev. P. K. Jose, District Treasurer; Dr Santhosh John, Auxiliary committee member. We express our gratitude to Zonal Directors, Presbyters, Pastors and all the congregations for their love and support for the Bible Cause.
63rd Annual General Convention of St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India: The Auxiliary Secretary shared from the Word and about the ministries of Bible Society during the Annual Convention of STECI at Thiruvalla. The Church handed over the Bible Sunday donation collected from all their churches during the General Convention. We are thankful to the presiding Bishop Most Rev Dr Thomas Abraham, former Auxiliary committee member; Rt. Rev Dr Abraham Chacko, Auxiliary committee member; Retired Bishops, Rev Abraham George, General Secretary; Rev P. T. Mathew, Treasurer; Church officials, clergies, church workers, congregation members far and near for the great support. Our heartfelt thanks for arranging a special session in the final day of the convention for Bible Society of India.
58th Session of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocesan Convention 2024: On the 6th day of the 58th Session of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocesan Convention 2024 at Baker compound, the Auxiliary secretary shared God’s Word and about BSI ministry. We thank the great support of Rt Rev Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian Bishop, Diocesan Office Bearers, Clergies, Church workers and members of the church.
NEWS FROM THE ANDHRA PRADESH AUXILIARY:
The BIble Society of India Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary organised a Women Leader’s Conference on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2024 at Bible House in Guntur. Rev. Dr. Leelavathi Vemuri, BSI President, Mrs. K. Asha Kiran Paradesi Babu, Chairperson, Women’s Wing, AELC and Sis. Dr. Varginia Rajakumari, Biblical Scholar, and Mrs. K. Shilpa Vikram led the sessions. Nearly 150 women delegates representing BSI Branches across the state participated in the conference.
