GOOD FRIDAY: A SOBER REFLECTION!
Christians Worldwide in Sober Reflection…1,579 Believers ride automobiles on March 31 (Resurrection Day), Removes hand from Steering for 5 minutes says “Accident‘ll not happen”
* Confession from ‘Jesus, the Wheel Day’: “Don’t come to our page telling us we’re crazy and that we’re going to die. Jesus is our shepherd; he’ll tend to his flock”
- Why Christ was Crucified-INVESTIGATION
- Jonathan Mourns Obadare, General Evangelist/Founder, WOSEM
BY OLUWAROTIMI OMONIYI/RELIGIOUS REPORTER, NIGERIA & TINA THOMPSON/ RELIGIOUS WRITER, JERUSALEM
THE World is mourning the demise of Jesus Christ, savior of mankind, as hundreds of Christians streamed through the cobblestone alleyways of Jerusalem’s Old City few hours ago, hoisting wooden crosses and chanting prayers to mark the crucifixion of Christ. The crucifixion was so emotional and very touching, seen as a moment of sober reflection. This ‘Good Friday’ is set out for mankind to retrace their ways back to God, their creator and shun all manners of ‘evil,’ by making restitution where necessary.
Pilgrims Storm Jerusalem for Christ
To identify with the death of Christ, sea of Christian pilgrims walked a traditional ‘Good Friday’ procession that retraces Jesus’ steps along the Via Dolorosa, Latin for the “Way of Suffering.” The journey was followed by a prayer at each and ending at the ancient Holy Sepulcher church.
Along the route, Franciscan friars in brown robes chanted prayers in Latin and explained the different stations to crowds through a megaphone. Leonard Mary, a priest from Irondale, Alabama, was dressed as Jesus wearing a crown of thorns. He was flanked by men posing as Roman soldiers and had fake blood dripping down his chest as he lugged a giant cross down the street.
For the priest, “The most perfect love that was ever seen in the world was when Jesus died for us. He showed us the perfection of love.”
‘Good Friday’ events began with a morning service at the cavernous Holy Sepulcher, which was built on the place where tradition holds that Jesus was crucified, briefly entombed and resurrected. Clergy dressed in colorful robes entered through the church’s large wooden doors as worshippers prayed in the church courtyard.
Later Friday, a service was due in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, built atop the traditional site of Jesus’ birth. Christians believe Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and resurrected on Easter Sunday.
Roman Catholic and Protestant congregations that observe the new, Gregorian calendar, are marking holy week. Orthodox Christians, who follow the old, Julian calendar, will mark Good Friday in May.
Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities.
Israel’s Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year.
Why Christ was crucified-INVESTIGATION
Naija Standard can tell you that the carnal man is typically concerned only with forgiveness and with not having to pay the cost of his actions. There is little, if any, contemplation of what happens after forgiveness—or why God gives forgiveness in the first place. For its true significance to be understood, Jesus Christ’s death must be seen within the context of all that God is working out. God is in the process of accomplishing much more than merely “saving” mankind or forgiving its sins!
God determined, even before Adam sinned and this present evil world was founded, that Christ, the Lamb of God, would have to be sacrificed for the sins of mankind (I Peter 1:17-21; Revelation 13:8). The present order of mankind rebelling against God was begun when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden and was subsequently banished. The relationship with God was severed; man had no access to Him and eternal life, represented by the Tree of Life.
Believers Dare Christ
Naija Standard learnt from a mail sent from ‘Jesus, the Wheel Day’ that on ‘Resurrection Day’-“March 31, 2013, Christians all over the world will take to the streets in their automobiles. Relying only on the divine protection of Jesus Christ, they will prove that the Savior of Man will not abandon them when they remove their hands from the steering wheels of their cars for a total of 5 minutes. They will not be at a red light, or a stop sign, they will be on the highways. This is TRUE FAITH. Jesus Christ does not abandon his children, and with the current state of the world, it’s time to show Jesus that we have not abandoned him. Do not come to this page telling us that we are crazy and that we are going to die. Jesus is our Shepherd, and he will tend to his flock. Please join us and show that you are NOT AFRAID to place your life in the hands of Jesus Christ”.
Jonathan Mourns Obadare
Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan is mourning the demise of Prophet Obadare, the General Evangelist of CAC Worldwide and founder of WOSEM who died on Thursday at his residence located in Number 16 Adinlewa Street, Akure residence.
The President’s message was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati.
Jonathan described the late Mr. Obadare as a gifted preacher and religious leader, who overcame physical challenges, to carry on the work of evangelism with incredible vigour and enthusiasm. He expressed his deepest sympathies to friends, followers and family of the deceased.
The president said that the late octogenarian’s life was an inspiring lesson in the virtues of faith, hard work and determination. He noted that the renowned Evangelist impacted positively on the spiritual lives of many, and gave hope through his acclaimed gifts of prophetic healing.
In the words of Jonathan: “Obadare would be remembered always for his pioneering role in promoting television evangelism, his uncommon mastery of the Scriptures, and his charismatic leadership on the pulpit.” He prayed God to reward the deceased for his spiritual exploits and service to humanity, by granting his soul peaceful rest.
