PETALING JAYA: Sounds of religious prayer and song resonated through the early morning skies as Christians gathered for sunrise service at various churches in Kuala Lumpur to mark Easter Sunday.
Among the churches include the Tamil Methodist Church Kuala Lumpur (TMCKL) and Kuala Lumpur Chinese Methodist Church (KLCMC) which saw a big crowd at their special outdoor Easter Sunday services.
Even before the first ray of sunshine broke the dark morning sky, worshippers came to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which symbolises the renewal of hope and strength.
Malaysia’s unique cultural diversity was also put on full display as the morning city landscape was illuminated with the sights of smiles and unity as worshippers sang songs and offered prayers.
Leading KLCMC’s morning Easter service was Rev Matthew Choong, who said the holy day was a reminder of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s sins and resurrection, which symbolised his victory over sin and death.
“Jesus sacrificed himself to bear our sins and help raise us up from the dead, so this is why we should continue living for him and live by his values of showing humility, peace and compassion.
“With the ongoing war and global financial uncertainty, we as believers should look to live out his teachings in our community.
“We should look to ‘crucify’ negative traits like anger and impatience and embrace a renewed life, guided by the Holy Spirit for the sake of a more beautiful, peaceful and harmonious society.
“Ultimately, Easter is about hope and victory – reminding us to stand firm in faith, face the uncertain future with confidence, and act as peacemakers to bring reconciliation to the world,” he said.
Rev Choong added that worshippers should reject worldly values such as materialism or personal desires and instead live with purpose through faith and responsibility under God.
TMCKL’s service was led by Rev A. James Ravindaren, who said Easter Sunday signified the unchanging assurance of hope that faith in religion can bring, regardless of ongoing turbulent times.
“Just as how many people’s lives changed after meeting Jesus following his resurrection over 2,000 years ago, our lives can still change through meeting Jesus now.
“While most have not had such a personal encounter with Jesus, we must remember that Jesus does know each and every one of our situations, struggles and he will eventually meet us where we are,” he said.
Rev James also described how one should look to find spiritual fulfillment, even when met with broken expectations in life’s struggles.
“Even in a challenging world, we can overcome any challenges as the hope that Jesus has given to us, to trust in God during life’s challenges, still remains the same.
“This is why Easter Sunday is such an important holy day as it reminds us that Jesus is alive and that the sense of hope and reassurance remains throughout generations,” he added.
Senior pastor Shawn Kong, who was leading the Every Nation Church Malaysia’s Easter Sunday service, also gave a similar message of hope that anyone can atone for their sins and live a new just life because of Jesus’s resurrection.
“Easter Sunday shows us that death and power of sin have been overcome and in modern times, it means we can receive forgiveness of our sins and reconcile with God.
“As such, Easter is a message of living hope to the world that Jesus died for the sins of mankind, and this hope is available to everyone who believes,” he said during his service.
