Religion

Low Turnout as Churches Hold Good Friday Services

By Web News 818

Some Christian worship centres in Ibadan witnessed a low turnout of members during the Good Friday service observed across the country as part of the Easter celebration.
Radio Nigeria correspondents, who monitored the situation, report that the church services were short and solemn, and vehicular movement in the metropolis was also not heavy.

At the Church of the transfiguration, Anglican Communion, Ikolaba, the procession was moody and serene while hymns rendered reflected the death of Jesus for the remission of sin.
  

The scenario was not different at the Cathedral of Saint James, Oke Bola, Saint Anne’s Anglican Church, Molete, and The Methodist Church Nigeria, Ekotedo.

In a sermon entitled: When the Innocent Dies”, an assistant priest at the Church of the Transfiguration, Anglican communion, Ikolaba, Rev, Afolabi Olusola said Jesus was innocent of the crime levelled against Him.
Reverend Olusola pointed out that blood of innocent Nigerians was equally being shed either for rituals or political purposes.

On its part, The Provost, Cathedral of Saint James the Great, Oke Bola, The Very Reverend David Olagbaju noted that Jesus’ crucifixion epitomized perfect love for the well-being of humanity, urging Nigerian leaders to show concern about the welfare of others.    

The Very Reverend Olagbaju pointed out that the cooperation of the citizens would manifest when leaders prioritized their well-being.

The Presbyter, Methodist Church Nigeria, Ekotedo, Dugbe, Ibadan, Very Reverend Abraham Akinyode, urged Nigerians to be selfless and love others.
 Some members said the death of Jesus was significant to them.

Expectedly, some churches in recognition of the day not only dramatized the entire stages and processes that Jesus went through before His death but also held special services to acknowledge the day.

In Christendom, Good Friday signifies the day Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate, suffered, crucified and died while on the cross.         

Fasilat Lawal/Funmi Obagbayegun/Rotimi Famakin

Religion

Low Turnout at Worship Centres Marks Good Friday in Parts of Ibadan

By Web News 897

Worship centers in Ibadan recorded low turnout as Good Friday is observed across the world.

Good Friday is observed by Christians to acknowledge the trial, suffering, crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Christian adherents commemorate the day by acting the out the event through carrying of the cross and accepting to be beating a rally.

In Ibadan, the situation was a total deviation from the usual annual event as most of the churches visited only held their services at different period of the day.

 At Saint James Cathedral, Oke Bola, few members were present during two separate services to mark the day.

 Radio Nigeria observed that songs rendered reflected the death of Jesus on the cross for the redemption of mankind

The situation was not different at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Ekotedo where the members converged to commemorate the day.

In an interview the presbyter of the church, Very Reverend Abraham Akinyode said Jesus demonstrated selflessness not by meeting the needs of people but by dying on the cross.

Very Reverend Akinyode used the occasion to lament the spate of kidnapping for ransom and attacks on farmland by herdsmen, saying failure of government to address the crises might lead to famine.

Very Reverend Akinode appealed to political leaders in the country to be selfless and initiate policies that would alleviate the suffering of the masses.

Rotimi Famakin

Religion

Good Friday: Let us serve God, humanity through sacrificial love – Clergy

By Web News 848

The minister in charge of Molete Baptist Church, Challenge Ibadan,The Reverend Edward Alabi has asked Christians to rededicate their lives to the service of God and humanity through sacrifice and love.

The Rev. Alabi was of the opinion that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was not a pleasant experience as charges against him, including mingling with sinners and preaching on Sabbath day and against payment of taxes, among other reasons were trumped up and baseless.

Restating Jesus experience on the cross of Calvary, the clergyman noted that the day the crucifixion took place, now referred to as Good Friday was indeed a sad and agonizing one going by the manner in which he died.

The Reverend Alabi queried that if Jesus could sacrifice so much for man to have abundant, fulfilled life, it then behoved Christians to appreciate Him by living a life of love, tolerance, sacrifice and service to God and humanity.

He said Judas did not have the in depth knowledge of the ministry of Jesus Christ which was rather spiritual than physical, and that was why he exposed him to those who crucified him.

Adewumi Faniran

Religion

Clerics Urges Christians to Imbibe Lessons of Lenten Season

By Web News 621

As today commemorates Good Friday and the end of Lenten season which goes along with the forty days fast in Christendom, Christian faithful have been advised to allow the lessons they learnt during the period to always reflect in their daily lives.

This formed the focal points of a cross section of clerics in Ado-Ekiti who spoke on the significance of Good Friday, as captured by Correspondent Anthony Ojo.

Religion

Significance and Lessons of Good Friday

By Web News 947

This day, far away on a skull shaped hill called Golgotha, in Jerusalem, stood an old rugged cross.

 it was a cross the world so much despised, being an emblem of reproach, suffering and shame.

 Yet, it was on that same cross; a great king who did not commit any offense was crucified to atone for the sin of humanity.

 Not minding the shame, this king, Jesus Christ, left his glory and endured that cross for the sake of humanity. 

 Apparently, the event of that day was nothing short of a horrible, unimaginable, inexplicable, humiliating and worst of treatment meted out to Jesus Christ till he breathed his last on that gloomy day which today is being remembered as Good Friday.

 It was the most gruesome killing ever recorded in the history of mankind. 

The Roman soldiers mocked Jesus, lacerated his flesh with lashes, smote his head with a reed, placed on it crown of thorns and nailed him to the cross. 

Darkness enveloped the entire land as blood flowed from his head to the feet with groans of pain, anguish and sorrow mingled with love.

Though, so dark a day it was, yet so good, as the wrath of God against the sins of men, met with mercy at the cross, demonstrating the peak of God’s love for a world that discountenanced him, and willingness to forgive, even the most despicable among men.

By this sacrifice, the ultimate price of forgiveness for humanity was totally paid, the righteousness of God was vindicated and man was reconciled to God.  

Light conquered darkness and sin was conquered by love.

 Satan and death became vanquished, the power of sin subdued, and a new chapter was opened in man’s relationship with God.

 Man regained freedom and the hope of eternal life

Thus, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ unarguably became the boast and glory of the Christian faith.

 Good Friday is also considered “good” by Christians because as terrible as that day was, it paved the way for eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which was three days after his death.

 Considering what the crucifixion of Jesus Christ symbolized, it therefore behoves on Christian faithful and the entire human race to have a deep reflection on how the message of the cross can be applied to save the nation from the challenges bedeviling it.

 Leaders in all sectors of national life should emulate the heart of love Jesus Christ demonstrated despite the agony of the cross, to see their position as an opportunity to deliver the masses from incessant suffering, occasioned by socio-economic and political upheavals.

 Just as Jesus forgave all, individuals, families, friends, aggrieved members of political parties and even world leaders should use the occasion of the Good Friday let go of all offences and forgive one another just as Christ did to mankind.

 If God did not spare his only son so that man could be restored, then, every Nigerian should forsake all manners of sin and live as a good ambassador of Christ for positive transformation in the society.

 Only then, can the nation witness the much desired peace, joy, stability, harmony and blessings which God intended for humanity.

Olaitan Adeitan