Nelson Mandela 1918 ~ 2013
In the afttermath of the death of Nelson Mandela many tributes have been paid to the man who inspired the fight against apartheid in his home country of South Africa. A lesser known aspect of his life was his Christian faith. This is part of an address he gave at the Easter Conference of the Zionist Christian Church in April, 1994.
OUR MESSIAH
“We bow our heads in worship on this day and
give thanks to the Almighty for the bounty He has bestowed upon us
over the past year. We raise our voices in holy gladness to celebrate
the victory of the risen Christ over the terrible forces of death.
Easter is a joyful festival! It is a celebration
because it is indeed a festival of hope!
Easter marks the renewal of life! The triumph of
the light of truth over the darkness of falsehood!
Easter is a festival of human solidarity, because
it celebrates the fulfilment of the Good News!
The Good News borne by our risen Messiah who chose
not one race, who chose not one country, who chose not one language,
who chose not one tribe, who chose all of humankind!
Each Easter marks the rebirth of our faith. It
marks the victory of our risen Saviour over the torture of the cross
and the grave.
Our Messiah, who came to us in the form of a
mortal man, but who by his suffering and crucifixion attained
immortality.
Our Messiah, born like an outcast in a stable, and
executed like criminal on the cross.
Our Messiah, whose life bears testimony to the
truth that there is no shame in poverty: Those who should be ashamed
are they who impoverish others.
Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no
shame in being persecuted: Those who should be ashamed are they who
persecute others.
Whose life proclaims the truth that there is no
shame in being conquered: Those who should be ashamed are they who
conquer others.
Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no
shame in being dispossessed: Those who should be ashamed are they who
dispossess others.
Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no
shame in being oppressed: Those who should be ashamed are they who
oppress others.”
Nelson Mandela
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