The
Lord, though he was God, became man.
He
suffered for the sake of whose who suffer, he was bound for those in
bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the
grave; but he rose from the dead, and cried aloud: “Who will
contend with me?
Let
him confront me.”
I
have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised men
from their graves.
Who
has anything to say against me?
I,
he said, am the Christ; I have destroyed death, triumphed over the
enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one, and taken men
up to the heights of heaven: I am the Christ.
Come,
then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that
defile you.
I
am your forgiveness.
I
am the Passover that brings salvation.
I
am the lamb who was immolated for you.
I
am your ransom, your life, your resurrection, your light, I am your
salvation and your king.
I
will bring you to the heights of heaven.
With
my own right hand I will raise you up, and I will show you the
eternal Father.
--
Saint
Melito of Sardis from
a letter
