Pastor Mussie Fisseha is the Worship Pastor for the English Congregation at Beza International Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
"These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty- yet you are rich." Revelation 2:8-9
As we are reflecting on the issue of Identity in the African continent as an extension of the Africa Arise conference, these words of Jesus come as an assurance and reminder to us that in the midst of affliction and poverty, Jesus is still in control and stands as the First and the Last of who we are. It seems like narratives about the past, present and future of the people of the continent have gone ahead and have even dictated its direction. But those things are not the ‘First’ of our identity. Who Jesus is and His authority over us as our maker and redeemer is the ‘First and Final’ say. His firstness goes beyond and proceeds every affliction and darkness. This is such an encouraging passage to read; while everyone else sees the affliction and the poverty, Jesus calls out the richness of the church. Jesus still secures our identity.
The hope the church and what it is called to proclaim is that Jesus is the first and last; that He died and rose again. This is the truth that brought us out of darkness into his marvellous light and from bondage to freedom. And this same hope is what will bring out the people of Africa from confusion about identity to embracing the words of the one who is Alpha and Omega. If any man is in Christ, He is a new creation. "The old has passed away and behold all things have become new." 2 Co 5:17
Dear brothers and sisters of the church of Africa, let us keep proclaiming the gospel to those around us for that is the only power that will change our names and will change our identity. The power of the gospel preached purely is what will wash us from all the filth and dirt of sin and of this world. Our hope is that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega and He still lives.