Easter Message from Bishop Mina 2018

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.

Khristos Anesti; Alithos Anesti!
Pi-Ekhrestos Aftonf; Khen O Methmi Aftonf!
Christ is Risen; Truly He is Risen!

My Beloved, Fathers, Mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters in our diocese. I congratulate you all my beloved for the Glorious Feast of Resurrection, Also I would like to congratulate – on your behalf – H.H. Pope Tawadros 2nd, and all their Eminence the Metropolitans, their graces the Bishops, our beloved priests, deacons, and boards of churches. all the servants, youth, children as well as all families in our diocese. I congratulate all people all over the world. Happy Glorious Feast of Resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation of Christianity “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14)

The resurrection is more than just an event that happened once in history. We honor our Master’s victory over death—not once a year, or during the fifty days that follows his Resurrection but every week on Sunday!! And It’s also the source of power we can experience in our own life, every day. What is the importance of Jesus’ resurrection?

1. The resurrection proves Jesus was exactly who and what He said He was. The Bible declares that: “By being raised from the dead [Christ] was proved to be the mighty Son of God.” and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:4). God’s backing of everything Jesus said. His resurrection fulfilled what He said about His resurrection. “Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.” (Corinthians 6:14)
2. The resurrection proves the primacy of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus is the only one among all others who claim to be true God, who has raised himself from the dead is such a wonderful way Therefore, what He said is true and is the foundation for everything we believe. “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). Everything else must be judged by the standard of Jesus’ words.
3. The resurrection proves that the penalty for our sins has been paid in full. The fact that God raised Jesus from the dead shows that God accepted His sacrifice and that it was fully adequate to pay the penalty of sin for all. “Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that the laws in Moses” (Galatians 3:13-15). “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17), If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32)
4. The resurrection guarantees that God can raise us from the dead to immortal life. Many times in the New Testament Jesus is referred to as being raised “from the dead.” In most cases, the actual Greek phrase is “out from among the dead.” What is the difference? The fact that He was raised out from among the dead means that though He is raised to life, the dead still remain dead. Jesus’ unique resurrection out from among the other dead proves Scripture promises that the dead will be raised to life in second coming
5. The resurrection makes Jesus the actual, living, active Head of the Church. Jesus Christ is the living, active, day-to-day decision maker for His Church. This was true in the past; it is true today; and it will remain true on into the future. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mathew 28:20). “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn’t see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)
6. The resurrection guarantees Jesus’ return. Every promise for the future is predicated upon Jesus’ return, if He had not been raised from the dead, all promises of His ruler ship in His Kingdom would be meaningless. He promised He would return, And that His followers will be with Him, that His reward would be with Him when He returns. None of these would be possible unless He was resurrected.
7. The resurrection is the guarantee of ultimate justice. If Jesus had not been raised from the dead after living a perfect, sinless life, the only conclusion we could draw is that in the end, evil permanently wins and good is destroyed. The crucifixion and resurrection powerfully demonstrate God’s mercy and justice. Let us never forget the incredible importance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. It is the anchor of every hope we have and ultimately the anchor of hope for all mankind (Hebrews 6:17-20).

May God bless you all.

— His Grace Bishop Mina
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver, and Western Canada
April 8, 2018