Good Friday

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"But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, we have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst."- St. John 19:15-18

Good Friday has always been a sober occasion for the thousands of followers of Christ. Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday is by no means the end of the narrative. Jesus’ act of selflessness and pure love is still with us today. For the most part the atmosphere of a Good Friday service in Jamaica is characterized by the wearing of dark and funeral like clothes to church. These acts of symbolism contribute greatly to the solemnity of the occasion. The dominant colours of a Good Friday service are usually purple, black and white in keeping with the death and burial of Jesus. Jesus’ crucifixion demonstrated His undying love for mankind so much so that he would lay down his life at Calvary for us (sinners) in order for us to have a sense of hope and a brighter tomorrow. This spirit of hope is arguably needed especially at this time in the global affairs as the international community continues to battle the novel coronavirus pandemic. Sadly, more than 1.7 million people worldwide have tested positive for the virus and more than 100,000 people have lost their battle.  The spirit of Good Friday is still with and among us today as the medical fraternity has taken on the battle as frontline workers against this dreaded and feared virus. In Second Chronicles 20:15 we are reminded that this battle is not ours but the Lords. Jesus’ crucifixion and subsequent resurrection give us that reassurance we are all searching for that good triumphs over evil on every occasion. Jesus’ crucifixion provides within us a sense of confidence. It also emboldens our spirit to continue to battle against adversities. The embodiment of the life of Jesus is one in which He looked out for the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the society. Good Friday is customarily a day of fasting, prayer, repentance, mediation and penance on the agony and suffering of Jesus Christ. With Jesus’ crucifixion we are no longer separated from grace. We have a direct link to communicate with our Heavenly Father. It is indeed a “good” Friday for all of humanity. A renewal has taken place in the spiritual realm. Yes, there are challenges; however, we will overcome by the power of Jesus Christ. Jesus overcame the grave and as such we are empowered to overcome difficulties in our personal lives and also collectively. The coronavirus has no power over the blood of Jesus Christ. Let us not give into fear and anxiety this Good Friday.  On this Good Friday let us pray for a spirit of obedience. It was an obedient Christ who went to the cross for our sins.  We besiege you oh Lord to give us a spirit of obedience as we continue to live lives of quarantine and social distancing. Let us be obedient at a time like this to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus. Do remember that Jesus is present in this pandemic.   
In the words of Elisha Hoffman “Have you been to Jesus for his cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?  Are you walking daily by the Saviour’s side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”
Have a blessed Good Friday.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
©
#GoodFriday #pandemic #Jamaica #socialdistancing


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