The Highest Place

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“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come; see the place where the Lord lay.”- St. Matthew 28:6. Easter holds a special place in our hearts and collective consciousness. Regardless of our world perspective and or religious faith; Easter serves as a time of hope and renewal. Centuries ago the world waited for three days for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Centuries later there is still that sense of expectancy and regeneration among humanity. Truth is Easter this year has taken on an added significance. The various hot spots across the world have made our global community less safe. Among these are the on-going war in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s invasion; the ongoing unrest in the Middle East the birthplace of Christ; the war in Yemen and parts of Nigeria. There is also the alarming homicide rates across Latin America and the Caribbean; the persistent and crippling debt burden; the desperation among migrants from North Africa as they risk it all to cross the raging Mediterranean Sea to Europe in order to escape poverty and war ; the injustices across the United States of America against African Americans in the name of racism have all left the international community pondering. Jesus’ resurrection more than 2 centuries ago served as a very important victory over death, evil and the grave. In today’s world there are many areas of death and despair in our lives which the resurrection power if applied can offer restoration. There are many dysfunctional homes; there are many broken marriages and relationships; there are many trust issues between employers and employees. We live in a world characterized by numerous forms of injustices and discrimination. However, we can be assured and in some instances be reassured that God’s resurrection power is as potent then more than two centuries ago when He gave up His life willingly for the remission of our sins as it is today. God’s ultimate sacrifice symbolizes love, peace and justice. It is also disheartening that a significant number of those who are on the wrong side of justice and history claim to be Christians; yet they see nothing wrong having their feet on the necks of others to suppress them. Many of us can relate to the Scriptures in St. Matthew 27:46, and about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? We have all felt abandoned at one point or the other. We have all been in those dark moments when we feel as if no one is there for us. However, Jesus’ resurrection offers us hope from depression, suicidal thoughts, grief, negativity, pain, sorrow and the list is endless. Easter brings a spiritual freshness to life. This freshness has to be experienced in order to fully comprehend the all encompassing spectrum that Easter is. Easter brings joy, joy exceeding joy especially after the heart break and agony of Good Friday. Undoubtedly, without Good Friday the world would not experience the bliss and heavenly ecstasy that is Resurrection Day observed on Easter Sunday. At Easter the world is elevated to new heights; we are encouraged and in return we offer encouragement to others. Easter is pregnant with a myriad of promises. Our blessings are countless and are renewed daily from a God who is merciful and forgiving. Easter gives us the reassurance we long for that Jesus is our constant and just intercessor. An intercessor is one who intervenes or stands in the gap on behalf of another especially in prayer. In this journey we all need a heavenly intercessor.
Jesus Has the Highest Place The fact that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God means that He has the highest place. In the Bible the right hand, and especially God’s right hand, is the hand of strength (e.g. Exodus 15:6), authority (e.g. Revelation 5:1), and blessing (Genesis 48:14). As a result of being seated at the right hand of God means that Jesus shares God’s strength, authority, and blessing. It is the highest place and the highest honour possible. When Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, it means all other things and other beings are under Him. We read this in 1 Peter 3:22: “Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him.” Easter reminds humanity rather forcefully that death and sin could not hold down Jesus in the grave. Easter rekindles and reinvigorates those with compromised faith and testimonies. Let us try to live our lives daily on the beauty and power that is Easter. May the Spirit of Easter restore hope in those areas in which we are weak; may the God of Easter be with you and your families always. May the message of Easter be a guiding light and compass regarding all your endeavours. Have a blessed and reflective Easter. In the words of Fulton J. Sheen, unless there is Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #EasterSunday #ResurrectionDay #Easter

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