Good Friday: A Virtual Worship Experience

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness, by His wounds you have been healed.”- 1 Peter 2:24. Good Friday is observed the Friday before Easter. Christians annually observe the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. From the early days of Christianity, Good Friday was observed as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting. The day holds great significance in the hearts of Christians. In fact Easter is the most revered religious occasion in Christendom. In Jamaica, churches are usually standing room only for Good Friday services. The service usually takes on a solemn tone as many worshippers experience sadness regarding the crucifixion of Jesus for the sins of the world. Crucifixion is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation. It was used as a punishment by the Romans. Justin Holcomb in an online article on christianity.com asked the question, why do we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event commemorating a day of suffering and death for Jesus? In German, for example, the day is called Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday. There are many theories regarding the day that is remembered for the death of Jesus to be known as Good Friday. One school of thought is that good, originates from the words God’s Friday. On the other hands others interpret good to mean holy in this context. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins in giving up his life so what we can have power over sin. The day is also known as Black Friday, Sorrowful Friday or Long Friday. Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins. Justin Holcomb, mentioned, “in order for the good news of the gospel to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved.” Good Friday celebrates what we believe to be the most significant time in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the important turning point for all creation. The Apostle Paul considered it to be “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, all in accordance with what God had promised all along in the Scriptures. The Good Friday worshipping experience is very much different this year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced many governments to restrict the number of congregants in any given space including churches. It is believed that by observing physical distancing we can reduce the transmission of this virus. In Jamaica, churches are limited to only 10 individuals inclusive of the technical support staff. Many churches have had to switch to an online platform whether Facebook or YouTube to conduct their services. Many are not in support with the government’s decision to severely restrict and in some instances close churches. Recently, a pastor in Jamaica was arrested and later released for using social media to denounce and attack the Prime Minister for his decision. In a recent radio interview the head of the Anglican Church in Jamaica spoke about the disquiet in sections of the religious community regarding the government’s lockdown on churches. Attending church, especially during the Easter period has become normalized over the years. It appears that many Christians and church goers are not in favour of the restrictions which have been implemented. The more affluent churches can afford to switch online to facilitate their members to worship, however, smaller and more rural churches where internet connectivity is a problem will have to close their doors over this Easter weekend. Many older Jamaicans will have and are having challenges logging online to be part of the worship experience. The digital divide is real and spans all facets of our lives, whether commerce, education or freedom to worship. The time to expand digital connectivity is now. This Easter celebration is not like ones we have known. We are distant from the fellowship of our brethren. Now is the time to know God for yourself! Jamaica currently has in place all day curfews on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The church building may be closed but the church is still open. We are the church and souls are still being saved. On this Good Friday we commemorate and give thanks for Jesus’ willingness to suffer and die by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. In St. John’s 3:16 we are reminded that for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. On this Good Friday may we pause and reflect on God’s Amazing Grace. 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 ©