World Olivet Assembly churches across the world held Easter retreats over the past weekend, commemorating the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross on Good Friday and his resurrection to life on the third day, Easter Sunday.
With worship services, Bible lectures, prayer and praise times and fellowship, congregations marked Easter reflecting on the path of the cross that Jesus took in complete obedience until death (Philippians 2:5-11), so that he could take the curse of sin away from us (Galatians 3:13) and bring us everlasting life (Romans 5).
The Easter message of resurrection was explained deeply by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, where he writes, "but Christ has indeed been raised from the dead" (V20) and then goes on to proclaim: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (V55-57)
"Studying the gospel accounts of the cross and resurrection during this season, and reflecting on the fulfillment of the law and prophecies in Jesus Christ reminds us of the immeasurable love of God and the grace He has poured down on us. And it gives us hope for our own lives, so that we can imitate the life of Jesus Christ, take our cross upon us daily and dedicate our lives to building God's Kingdom, because we have the hope of resurrection," said Rev. Mark Spisak, General Secretary of WOA.
In some places, the Easter service also included the baptism of those who had completed the preparation course during the Lent season. Those who were baptized confessed in front of the witnessing congregation and the world that they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that they wish to join the Apostle Paul in declaring: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20)
Easter Retreats Across the World Proclaim: “He Is Risen!”
