Religion:Why Good Friday Celebration?

Each year Christians celebrate the murderous events of Good Friday. Why do so? In my perspective there could be no Resurrection without a crucifixion. It was prior to Jesus being nailed to the Cross that so many great things of religious significance did occur. There was the dramatic trial by Pilate, Jesus showing unconditional love when he declared “Today you will be with me in Paradise”.

This was forgiveness without any strings attached. Then His body placed in a tomb …

On the third day Jesus returns to life, having been Resurrected. A marvellous end to tragedy by bloodshed.

Ushering in a Renewed hope for mankind. Jesus gave himself as the supreme sacrifice for our sins. There is no further need to shed blood of any lamb. Jesus has become to replace and is now that sacrificial lamb.

As we celebrate the death and subsequent risen Christ, let us not forget the real reason for the Eastertide celebration. As Rosie a Christian and retired teacher puts it: “Bun and cheese, Easter egg hunt are fine, but let us not forget the value to mankind of the Risen Christ.”

Let us forgive as Jesus did on the Cross … we all have been hurt. Amen!

Commentary

Report on Sermon

Bishop Howard Gregory, Lord Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, declared: When Jesus said ‘it is finished’ He was not necessarily referring to death per say … but the beginning of a new relationship with God the Father”. The Lord Bishop was delivering his homily at the St. Jude’s Anglican Church, Stony Hill, Ja. W.I., on Good Friday as part of the celebration of the Eastertide. He further stated that: “Good Friday brings home the morbidity of death. It possesses that hope … peace and integrity … Jesus was not allowed to die in His bed at a ripe old age … Jesus had nails driven in Him … Jesus was thirsty … they gave Him sour wine (vinegar by some translations). He then gave up the GHOST. They falsely created a riot, a botched trial and now felt happy at His demise on the Cross. Christianity or His Movement had not ‘Finished’. Jesus’ followers must have felt abandoned … their leader was dead. They may have had to return to their prior work of fishing etc. What did He mean ‘it is finished’?. Jesus at this point was making an assessment of His life, His future. Jesus understood Himself to be the Son of God, His mission … this influenced His choice His mission.”

Bishop related the Good Friday message to us locally by declaring:

“The evil that occurs in the Jamaican Society, is also by church people. Good Friday is not Tragic Friday. This event should bring us into a new redemption like the prodigal son … the honoured guest at the banquet not just another funeral.

Marjorie Thompson’s book “Forgiveness” … “There is no Christianity without forgiveness … a virtue so central to the Good News. Forgiveness is the healing stream flowing out. Divine forgiveness yearns for emotional maturity. Christianity is about the creative order” she asserted.

Tom Wright’s book, “Creation, Power & Truth states:”Pilate just the setting … Jesus has come to heal us of corruption … by the power of love”

“It is finished … finishing of creation, the end of God’s work … creation & recreation … the new creation.”

After this communion was administered to communicants numbering 99 hungry, thirsty souls yearning for His love and forgiveness partook of His Body and Blood.

The hymn: # 121 (C. S.) …. Were you there when they crucified my Lord”

Commentary

We crucify our Lord daily by our thoughts, words and deeds.

The Palm Sunday crowd was probably there on Good Friday … if not in person, but represented.

This clearly demonstrates the fickle nature of humankind.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Yes, we were all there, but did nothing to help to save Him.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie attended the Mass and filed this exclusive as Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.