"Christ Didn't Rise in Vain" Says President Obama at White House Prayer Breakfast

Aimee Herd : Apr 15, 2014
Jennifer Wishon – CBN News

"I think it's amazing that the most powerful nation on the planet and probably the most important building politically speaking in the world, that we're having a moment where we're not only acknowledging but celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.” -Rev. Samuel Rodriguez

(Washington, DC)—According to a CBN News report, over 100 Christian leaders attended the Easter gathering at the White House on Monday, invited by President Obama. (Photo via Google)

The tradition was begun four years ago by the president.

This year's event started with Obama honoring the three victims of Sunday's deadly Jewish Center shootings in Kansas.

"We have to keep coming together across faiths to combat the ignorance and intolerance, including anti-Semitism that can lead to hatred and to violence," said President Obama.

"So, this Easter week, of course we recognize that there's a lot of pain and a lot of sin and a lot of tragedy in this world, but we're also overwhelmed by the grace of an awesome God," he added.

The president also shared the words of a reading given to him by Pope Francis which said, "Christ's resurrection is not an event of the past. It contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Jesus did not rise in vain. May we never remain on the sidelines on this march of living hope."

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, found the event encouraging, according to the CBN report.

"I think it's amazing that the most powerful nation on the planet and probably the most important building politically speaking in the world," said Rodriguez, "that we're having a moment where we're not only acknowledging but celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior."