Christian doctrine is hinged on the Trinity, the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead. A resident sits on the Vihiga Rock believed to be Jesus’s casket. Vihiga historical sites Jesus Christ, the son of God, according to Christianity, lived on earth after being conceived by Mary, taught, did miracles, and died on the cross so that men would be forgiven their sins. He then resurrected and rose to heaven to prepare a place for those who believed in Him and lived according to His word, according to the Bible. Despite ascending into heaven more than two millennia ago, Christians still encounter Jesus’s presence in many spiritual and natural phenomena. Vihiga rock flocked by Christians In Matsigulu village, Central Maragoli ward, Vihiga county, a unique piece of stone sits on a rock that many Christians in the area and beyond claim is Jesus’s casket. Joseph Anusu and Josphat Gederi at the site. Photo: Collins Mmbulika/TUKO.co.ke. Source: Original Florence Angara, a resident of Matsigulu, believes the stone, which measures 5.9 feet and has a width of 1.5 feet with a tapering end, is a symbolic presence of Jesus Christ. “No one knows when and how this stone appeared, but its unique shape and overlying weight is a matter to discuss. In fact, it speaks for itself and symbolises the appearance of Jesus on earth,” Angara said. The stone rests on a rock in riparian land. Locals and Christians say that human effort or even machines cannot move the stone. READ ALSO Fiery Cleric Sammy Wainaina Says Clergy Are Kenya’s Biggest Problem, Not Politicians: “Brokers” The stone cannot be removed according to locals. Photo: Collins Mmbulika/TUKO.co.ke. Source: Original Josephat Rigaka, a Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) church pastor and a resident of the locality, said the simple-looking stone is very heavy, thus making it unmovable, just like Christ is a solid rock in the Christian faith. “On the eye, it may look to sit on another bigger rock lightly. It has, however, disproved many people who have tried to displace it. It’s is immovable, kind of unchanged like the word of God,” Rigaka said. Death penalty Rigaka claimed that the sacred ‘casket’ can unleash deadly wrath upon those who insist on moving it or even try to carve it away from the bigger rock. “In 1993, we witnessed an aftermath of rebellion where a young man of about 30 years tried to move the stone. After his efforts proved futile and driven by anger, he went ahead to break a chip from the rock. He did not last many days and died mysteriously,” Rigaka narrated. READ ALSO Kenyans Unimpressed by KSh 350m Karen Mansion with 14 Bedrooms: “No Beauty” To this effect, many Christians have revered the rock, which they visit individually and in troops to pray. “You cannot compare human strength to the power of God. It is small, but its strength is beyond human knowledge,” Rigaka insisted. Number 121 This is another unique feature of ‘Jesus’s casket.’ The number 121 is inscribed on the top of the stone, like one done on a freshly cemented floor and left to dry. Until today, no one has been able to interpret the meaning of the code imprinted on the number 121. Diviners and spiritual and religious prophets have visited the stone, but none of them has been able to tell the meaning of the number. Love for Kenya and Africa ‘Jesus’s casket’ has sister rocks, which locals say is proof that Jesus indeed walked in Matsigulu village. In March 2021, TUKO.co.ke reported on the famous Jesus’s footprints rock located in Central Maragoli ward. ‘Jesus’s casket’ stone is a sister rock to these famous footprints rocks popularly known by Vihiga locals as the Gevere Stone. On these rocks, locals claim, are imprints of African and Kenyan maps, Jesus’s sandal and footprints, knife and shield, bread and fish, cow and sheep hooves, numerical symbols 4,5,14,17 and 27, a padlock and paths. “You don’t need further evidence because all these symbols were used by Jesus during his ministry on earth,” Rigaka added. The man of the cloth further elaborated that the rocks with such marvellous signs attributed to Jesus reiterate God’s love for Africa. Trips to the sacred rocks The rock’s iconic features have attracted many guests and religious people from far and within, including first lady Margaret Kenyatta. During a visit to ‘Jesus’s casket’ rock, we met Joseph Anusu and Josphat Gederi from Hamisi constituency, Vihiga, who were having a prayer session at the rock. “The fame of this rock has driven us all the way to come and encounter Jesus’ samazing power. We leave this place spiritually stronger,” they collectively said.
by Michael Ollinga Oruko