Tradition
attracts many people to observe the Lent season ardently. Churches bring to
memory the line of events which happened during the crucifixion and the jubilee
of His resurrection. New dresses, parties,
family fellowship and with the digital revolution, sharing resurrection
pictures, music videos have become the ultimate end results of expressing the
joy of the Easter Season. But for Paul and his team, the need for
establishing the gospel everywhere and mostly in hostile environments in those
days were a pressing need than just to celebrate with friends, families and
Church. It says in Acts 17:3 “Then Paul, as his custom was, went
in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the
Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to
suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus
whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were
persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the
leading women, joined Paul and Silas.”
The
greatest event, the resurrection in history was the central message for the
early Church to establish the proof about Christ and His deity. Remember, life
was not easy for people who followed Christ then, including the apostles and
the disciples of Christ. They were thrown out, beaten, shamed yet relentlessly
went about sharing the resurrection story. People called them as babblers (Acts
17:18), some ridiculed them (Acts 17:32), but they never restrained
themselves from sharing the gospel, Today, Good Friday and Easter have been
reduced to observing, celebrating and commemorating it as an event.
Looking
back at Christ’s Crucifixion, two people are identified in the Scriptures and
history to make an immediate commitment by acknowledging who Jesus was. One was
the powerless suffering thief on the cross who the Church later called him
Dismas. And the second was a man in power, the Centurion. The thief in pain who
sought Christ mercy begged Jesus to include him in His eternal kingdom. This
thief, as named Dismas, denied any instant gratification like the other thief
who in pain mocked Jesus and asked to display his power by saving him and
himself. He got an immediate confirmation of eternal home. The dying thief
departed with hope and satisfaction.
Life did not make sense for the other
thief who failed to acknowledge the Saviour though he knew who Jesus was. He
challenged Christ to show his power and rescue him from his immediate pain and
not deciding on the eternal kingdom. This tells us that all those who are in pain
necessarily do not acknowledge God. The second person who was the centurion was
a man in power. According to the information published by the Research Scholars
of Oxford University: 350 soldiers and 50 horsemen dragged JESUS - whipping,
beating on the streets of Jerusalem. Probably he along with his team of
soldiers inflicted pain on Jesus. But then witnessing Christ's death on the
cross brought a strange divine conviction to say what he said. 'Surely this
man was the Son of God!' (Mark 15:39). The important fact here is the
convert did not get an opportunity to witness Christ’s resurrection yet made a
commitment to the Lord.
Today, we
have the whole scenario of crucifixion and resurrection. We have the privilege
of understanding forgiveness of our sins yet many Christians are yet to make a
commitment to be a true disciple for Christ. When are we going to be prepared
to take the good news to thousands outside the gate of the Church who are
leaving the world without Christ? Churches are willing to spend their time in
all types of fellowship, activities and worship programs to satisfy their
existence as faithful Church members but never prepare someone who could risk
their lives for the name of Jesus and for the sake of the gospel (Acts
15:26).
We allure
people by inviting them for a better life, great career and a prosperous future
and keep them in the fold. And as a result instead of becoming a disciple for
Christ many are just Christians by name. Leonard Ravenhill makes this bold
claim, “I’m sick to death of people making cheap invitations “come up for
this”, “Are you afraid of the future?” “Are you afraid of ___-forget it!
The altar in the Bible is for two things only: one is for sacrifice the other
is for death. If not, keep away.”. Churches and organisations are
accomplishing all their goals including their ministerial and financial status
by inviting people for a luxurious wealthy life. Where are the true converts
who are daring to make a commitment to follow Christ? All are distracted
searching for a happy and comfortable life. Puritan Thomas Brooks states, “The
minds of weak saints are more interested in joy, peace, comfort, and assurance
than their responsibilities of waiting on God, believing in God, walking with
God, and acting for God.”.
Christless
young people are growing in our culture day by day. They don’t have time,
interest or conviction to have a backbone being a Christian. They want to be
entertained and hear words of hope for their future and career. And then events
like Christmas, Good Fridays and Easter become mere excuses to buy dresses and
be entertained. Jesus has become a mere gateway to achieve all their dreams and
stability in the future. It is time we contemplate our true conversion
experience and be bold to commit ourselves for the Mission Christ entrusted us.
If you are not a witness or a disciple maker by now you have no right to
celebrate Good Friday and Easter. The greatest joy is to lead someone to
Christ.
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