Dr. Fr. Davis George
In the first week of February 2011 a group of us visited
the Holy Land. We saw the place where Jesus was born, places where he
worked miracles, the Synagogue where he taught, the Sea of Galilee where he
walked, Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured, Gethsemane
where his sweat became blood while praying,
and Mount Calvary where he was crucified on the cross. It
was very touching and heart -breaking. We were taken to a pit where he
was kept the whole night as if he was a dreaded criminal. Centuries before the
birth and death of the Messiah it was written, “I am reckoned among those who
go down to the Pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one forsaken among the
dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom thou dost remember
no more, for they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast put me in the depths of
the Pit, in the regions dark and deep…. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
my eye grows dim through sorrow” (Ps 88: 4-9). What a paradox: the Creator of
the world at the mercy of his own creation; what a cost he had to pay for the
salvation of human kind, “Although he was in the form of God, a thing to be
grasped he emptied himself and became a human being” (Phil 2:1). He gave
up all his heavenly prerogatives and identified himself with sinners so much so
that he was taken as a sinner. And yet, he was treated like a criminal and
crucified on the cross on Good Friday. The Bible tells us that they put a crown
of thorns on him, struck him on his head and spat upon him ,
laughed at him and, humiliated him publicly; made him carry the cross,
torturing him at every step. Centuries before the birth of Christ prophet
Isaiah had prophesied about the birth and death of the Messiah, that he would
be a suffering servant and will die a shameful death for the salvation of human
kind. It is written in the Bible “Ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the
sorrows he carried. But , we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God
and brought low. He was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins.
On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are
healed” (Is 53:4-5). But why an innocent man had to die like this?
In the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, Jesus was tempted
by the devil to give up the way of the cross and obey the designs of the devil.
He was asked to make use of his divine powers and take short cut to achieve his
mission in life. He was asked to disobey his Father’s plan of saving the world.
Jesus’ answer was an emphatic no to the devil and his allurements (Mt
4:1-10). Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish and
people wanted to immediately make him a king, who can wield political power.
Very poignantly it is recorded, “Perceiving then that they were about to come
and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by
himself” (Jn 6:15). Again Jesus refused to disobey his fathers plan for him.
Jesus told his disciples many times that he must go to Jerusalem and
suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
killed, and on the third day be raised from the dead. Peter did not want this
to happen to his Master. Jesus rebuked him saying, “Get behind me Satan! You
are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men” (Mt
16:23). While dying on the cross, he was challenged to come down from the cross
and prove that he is Christ (Mk 15:30-32). Jesus opted to obey his Father and
his plan of saving the world. How true, he made himself obedient unto death,
even death on the cross (Phil 2:8). It was not easy for him to obey and accept
such humiliation and mental and physical torture. In
the garden of Gethsemane he cried out and prayed, “Abba,
Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what
I will, but what thou wilt” (Mk 14:36). The human face of the only begotten son
of God is seen in the following words from the scripture: “In the day of his
flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplication, with loud cries and tears, to
him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Heb
5:7-8). Jesus’ only aim was to accomplish his Father’s will and do always what
is pleasing to him (Jn. 8:29).
On Good Friday we look at the cross and try to experience
the power in the cross. The doctrine of the cross is sheer folly to those on
their way to ruin, but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the power of
God…. Jews call for miracles, Greeks for wisdom. But we proclaim Christ- yes,
Christ nailed to the cross…. He is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1Cor
1:18-24). On the cross we see how Jesus emptied himself of the divine
prerogatives which was certainly his due, but made himself obedient, yes even
death on a cross. Adam disobeyed God and sin entered the world; Jesus
obeyed his father and salvation was brought to all humanity. Jesus made
obedience and accomplishing his father’s will the central part of his teaching.
In uncompromising terms Jesus said that whoever does the will of my Father in heaven
is my brother, sister and mother (Mt 12:50).
Knowing Christ costs nothing; but obeying him costs
everything. It is easy to go on a pilgrimage, but difficult to obey Him. Going
to the Holy Land costs only money but obeying him costs everything.
Taking part in Mass and other pious devotions cost nothing but obeying him
costs everything. Are we here on this Good Friday to know more about
Christ or to listen to his words and obey him? The crucified Lord who is alive
in our midst, tells us to obey him; it is said that obedience is better than
sacrifice. In our moments of prayer, when we listen and reflect on the
Scripture, he continues to speak to us: Forgive your enemies; forgive your
wife, your husband, your children your parents, and, anyone who has hurt you.
Do we obey him? He tells us to overcome evil with good; bless those who
persecute you. Do we obey or indulge in retaliation. Knowing Christ costs
nothing, obeying him costs everything. He tells us to be humble and serve one
another with love. But we are prone to do this only according to our likes. He
tells us not to be mere listeners of the Word but doers of the Word. He tells
us to deny ourselves, take up the cross daily and follow him. Do we obey? He
tells us to worship him in spirit and in truth and not just mumble meaningless
words. Do we obey?
On Good Friday we see the meaning of obedience. Abraham
obeyed and followed his commandments and was even ready to sacrifice his only
son. Mary obeyed God and followed her son till the last. We want children to
obey parents; students- teachers; wife- husband; husband – wife. And yet, we
don’t want to obey God. Salvation is in obedience. Obedience is the
foundation of faith. Obedience is the response to love. That is what we see on
the Cross. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Prayers
are heard because we obey his commandments. On this Good Friday let us not do
lips service. Let us surrender our lives and make a decision and commitment to
obey him. Knowing Christ costs nothing; obeying him costs everything.
During
World War II planes used to land in make shift air strips and as soon as they
land they would be taken to place of safety which even the pilots did not know.
As soon as the plane stops a small vehicle comes on which was written follow
me and the vehicle would pull the plane to safety. In the same way in
our life’s battle field only Jesus can take us to place of safety and security,
peace and contentment, healing and salvation provided we obey Him, take up our
cross daily and follow Him.
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