In Ghana we celebrate Easter in a very colourful way. Well, Easter is about Jesus and His love-relationship with people. Jesus Christ came into the world on a mission. He was named Jesus because He was going to save his people. The name he was given showed his mission on earth. Jesus himself declared that He had been anointed to set the captives free. Indeed, royals, wealthy men and women, and people of high-academic learning, as well as simple people of low social and economic status, younger people and older people, all suffer the same problem: slavery, bondage under the power of sin. How could one become free from the power of sin? The good news is that at Easter we celebrate the key events through which Jesus fulfilled his mission to set people free. That is, His cruel death on the cross in Golgotha; and His resurrection from the dead, His triumphant victory over the grave!! So the first century Christians would greet each other. "Christ is risen", and respond, "He is risen indeed!" Jesus declared that He came to give freedom to people. But freedom from what? And freedom for what? The primary and most essential freedom Jesus gives is three fold: freedom from the power of sin; freedom from the guilt and punishment of sin; and freedom from the presence of sin. "He endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne. All the while we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God. But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received. All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the LORD made the punishment fall on Him, the punishment all of us deserved." Isaiah 53: .4-6 (GNB) "That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people; so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed. "Hebrews 9: 15 (NLT). You see, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins". (Hebrews 10:4) This year, Easter celebrations promise to come extra alive with church conventions and community development durbars, as well as political activities. In all these let us remember Easter means victory over evil and treachery. Easter means showing practical concern and care for the perfect well being of people. This love was best shown by Jesus at Easter. His is ultimate love. Easter means selfless and sacrificial living to uplift the other. Political leaders would normally speak loudly on their manifesto and agenda yet may fall short on delivering on what they say and promise to do. But when Jesus Christ the true leader did speak out His manifesto (Luke 4:18 - 19), He carried out fully all the articles. He is the supreme faithful leader. "He paid the debt He did not owe I owe the debt I could not pay I needed someone to wash my sins away Now I can sing A brand new song Amazing grace Lord Jesus paid the debt That I could never pay" Today, Jesus still speaks, He invites us "Come follow me, your real leader, and I' will bless you with new life, a life that satisfies and makes you a channel of blessing to people." Indeed, it is only a person who sincerely follows Jesus who is formed into an authentic leader who genuinely loves and cares for people. This year’s Easter also provides us a special opportunity for individual and united group praying. What shall we pray for? Your prayer list will include the following: for peace in Ghana; for sound fellow feeling and love of neighbours instead of hatred and wickedness; for meaningful economic growth and upliftment of the great majorities of our people from abject poverty; for the successful exploration of Ghana's oil and wise use of the oil money; for prudent preparations towards the 2008 elections and peace before, during, and after the 2008 elections; and for a blessed homeland Ghana!!! But most important, remember at Easter we celebrate Jesus the only one who gives us freedom from sin's control over our lives. The Bible says, "Sin must not be your master". Meet Jesus the freedom giver, at Easter. At this year's Easter, commit yourself to Jesus Christ and by simple prayer ask Him to come into your life and rule your life. He assures us, "If He, the Son, sets you free, you are free indeed!"(John 8:36) Happy Easter! Source: Jude Hama/The Mirror