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‘IT’S HISTORY IN THE MAKING’

14/04/2020 07:38:00 BY SIBUSISO SHANGE

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LOBAMBA – Shocking and Historic! These were words used by many speakers at the last day of this year’s Easter services.

This is because the normal buzz of people travelling from one destination to another in their colourful church gowns was replaced with just a handful of people of less than 20 in some churches, especially the main Easter service held at Lobamba.
Easter services start with the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and end with the resurrection of the Son of God.

The Easter services were celebrated differently following the outbreak of the coronavirus which has claimed many lives across the world.
In fact, government had announced that the services, which usually attract thousands of Christians, would be suspended this year to minimise the spread of the virus, however, it formulated a strategy to make sure that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was commemorated.

Situation

The country’s authorities, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, introduced live broadcasting of the services on local television and radio stations to make sure that all emaSwati had access to the Word of God.
The services were also available on social media. It was led by selected pastors from the three church bodies, which include the League of African Churches, Conference of Churches and the Council of Churches.

The pastors were joined by Prince Masitsela, Prince Simelane, and Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo and the praise team. Noted was that the attendees were exactly 20 in number.
Reverend Jerome Sangweni said; “It will remain history that we had such Easter services. One would expect to see different gowns on the roads leading to Somhlolo National Stadium, however, the streets are quiet.”

These gowns used to be visible on Sunday when Christians proceeded to the stadium from their various camps around Lobamba and the surrounding areas. The nation used to have an opportunity to hear the Word of God from His Majesty King Mswati III and the Queen Mother.
However, the authorities followed the proceedings from the local television and radio stations. Sangweni calmed the situation with a song titled ‘Lomhlengi ungubani na?

He then quoted the scripture in the Book of Matthew 27 from verse 62 and Matthew 28. In summary, the man of God said the resurrection of Christ superseded all what had been said before.
He reminded the nation that the resurrection did not take Jesus by surprise because He spoke about it before it actually happened.
Jesus told His disciples that He would die and resurrect on the third day. “His enemies were the first people to know about His resurrection. His difference is that He rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven where He is pleading for our mercy,” said Sangweni. He added that Jesus started a new race by resurrecting.

Examinations

The man of God stated that the coronavirus belonged to the time of Adam not Jesus Christ.
“People without Jesus Christ are like people wearing black clothes in darkness. Those with Jesus Christ are like people wearing white clothes,” he said.
Reverend Grace Masilela of the Church of the Nazarene, observed that emaSwati were shocked because coronavirus was a new pandemic. Masilela encouraged the nation to stick to Jesus’ words where He told His disciples not to worry after His resurrection.

She said if the nation was to put their trust in God and follow the safety measures put in place, no liSwati would die of COVID-19.
“The world will ask how we managed to survive the virus and we will tell them that it’s because Jesus is our shield,” she said before praying for the nation.
Meanwhile, the pastors prayed for the country’s authorities, government, teachers and pupils at these trying times. The prayer was led by Bishop Samson Hlatjwako at the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Sunday. He said God would provide an answer to those who asked if teachers would be able to equip pupils for the final examinations.

Schools were closed in a bid to minimise the spread of the coronavirus a month ago. However, government has initiated lessons on television, newspapers and radio to afford pupils an opportunity to learn from home.
Hlatjwako also prayed for parliamentarians to pass laws that were not against God.
The bishop also thanked the Minister of Home Affairs, Princess Lindiwe, for working tirelessly when preparing for the first of its kinds Easter services.