By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
As Christians celebrate Palm Sunday, the Bishop of Oyo, Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, has urged Nigerians not to give up on their faith for a better country.
Aladekugbe gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ibadan.
According to him, the world is at a crossroad and it is only the risen Christ who can make it better and bring back its lost hope.
“Those of us who believe in the power of resurrection, that the Lord made all things new at the resurrection of Christ, must first believe that we have the hope of eternity.
“We must also believe that there is hope for the world He has made, though this world is now ravaged by all sorts of evil, though we are in the age of a revolutionary change, the finger of Christ is seen everywhere, our hope of redemption is not lost.
“Life is grossly uncertain, death comes so easily, many groan daily under the burden of fear, diseases and poverty, yet, Christ says through His resurrection there is hope for those who believe in Him and that our country shall yet bounce back,” he said.
According to him, Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday in the Christian tradition, is the first day of the Holy week and the Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Aladekugbe, also Chairman Oyo State Christian Council of Nigeria, said that Palm Sunday reminds us that the reign of Christ is far greater than the mind of man could ever conceive or plan.
“Man looked for someone to fight their battles, yet God had the ultimate plan of sending His Son to fight the final battle over death.
“For Christians, it is a reminder of the welcoming of Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow Him.
“Palm Sunday reminds us that Christ is King as shown in the following:
God’s words tells us the people cut palm branches and waved them in the air, laid them out on the ground before Jesus as He rode into the city.
“The Palm branches represented goodness and victory and was symbolic of the final victory He would soon fulfill over death, I Cor. 15:55.
“This is the greatest of why we celebrate this week, because of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, we can be set free of death,” he said.
Also, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, says Palm Sunday and its relationship to the passion of Jesus Christ reminds all that true glory is only found in self-giving and sacrifice.
Badejo expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that many parts of the world were in turmoil and suffered from selfish, unjust leaders.
“The only things that seem sustainable in our society are corruption, injustice, hypocrisy and impunity in high and low places.
“The country needs courageous, servant-leaders and individuals who, like Jesus, will courageously speak the truth and live by it.
“Everybody has a role, Christians, Muslims and all others must ride the colt of courage at all times, wearing the garment of truth and justice, into this Jerusalem and speak the truth to all those who would suppress it.
“Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem affirms God’s sovereignty over all other powers, it challenges all leaders to lead with the fear of God, lay down their own lives in service.
“It also invites all the citizens to recognize, applaud and support good, unselfish leaders who work for peace and reconciliation,” he said.
According to him, like the palm branches, Nigerians must all be bearers of shelter, beauty, life and sustenance to those they meet.
Badejo remarked that Palm Sunday is the celebration of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the place where he was to be crucified.
Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, is the beginning of Holy Week, the holiest week in Christendom in which Christians celebrate the most intense moments of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is the first Sunday during the year when the faithful listen together during worship, to the full account of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the same vein, The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State chapter, has called on faithful to reconcile with God and acknowledge that Christ died for all even while they were still sinners.
The state CAN Chairman, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Sunday, as Christians celebrate Palm Sunday.
Akinyemiju said that Christ demonstrated the greatest way of showing God’s love for humanity and urged the faithful to continually reciprocate by loving Christ and their neighbours.
He called on government at all levels to show love to the citizens by listening to them, providing for them and ensuring their security in all parts of the country.
“The life of every citizen must remain sacred because God purchased each one at a great price.
“May the Lord grant us peace and security needed to live our lives to the fullest as Jesus died for us to live,” he said.
He noted that Palm Sunday was the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter when palm branches were placed in the path of Jesus Christ prior to His arrest on Holy Thursday and His crucifixion on Good Friday.
”It marks the final week of Lent. Palm Sunday also referred to as Passion Sunday commemorates the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
“It is an event that took place towards the end of His days on earth before being crucified.
“It is a Sunday to be regarded by Christians as a day to remind us to accept and welcome Jesus into our hearts, just as the worshipers welcomed Him into Jerusalem.
“The activities characterising Palm Sunday dictates that anyone can have his or her lives and fortunes change dramatically overnight,” he said.
NAN reports that Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter when Christians celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
In many Churches, Palm Sunday is observed by the blessing and sharing of palm branches symbolising the branches placed in front of Christ.
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