Good Friday is the celebration of Jesus’s sufferings on the cross to redeem us from sin and give us eternal life. Every year, on Good Friday, we meditate on the 7 words of Jesus Christ on the cross, but this year we will meditate on the 7 Sounds preceding to the 7 Words of Jesus on the cross. Let us understand how these sounds could relate to us in COVID19 times, and respond to the call?
1. The Sound of Soldiers (John 18:1-14): So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
The soldiers came to arrest an innocent man in Gethsemane. Today, the police, military and the paramilitary forces are all around warning us to stay away from the roads, and to take control of the situation to discipline wherever there is necessity so people are cooperating with the law and order. Can we obey our rulers?
2. The Sound of Cock Crow (John 18: 15-27): “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So, they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
There are different kinds of noises around us. We are also hearing the Sirens of ambulances and Police vehicles in many towns and cities that are carrying patients to hospitals on emergencies of CoVID19. Even in spite of huge appeal and awareness, they are many people denying of the fact they are infected by the deadly virus which could be fatal for them and others around. Peter denied Jesus three time before the rooster began to crow. Can we stop denying Jesus in our daily walk of life?
3. The Sound of Silver Coins (Matthew 27 :1-10): When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
There is no value for money that could save lives from this deadly virus and all the wealthiest nations are not able to make use of their wealth, power and might, position and authority to find a vaccine for CoVID19. Can we count our riches as loss before the Sovereign God and start trusting and believing in Him?
4. The Sound of Crowd Roar (Luke 23:1-5, 13-24): And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.
There is lot of chaos and confusion in the world. There are wars and rumors of wars to rage war against the nations even in spite of this deadly virus. Can we be one for the crowd and not be one among the crowd to be a peacemaker and stand in the gap?
5. The Sound of Pouring Water (Matthew 27: 15-26): While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
The washing of hands and personal hygiene is the order of the day. Sanitize yourself to be saved and to save others from the deadly virus. Can we be a healing balm to the nations?
6. The Sound of Silence (Matthew 27: 11-14): When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Home Quarantine is the new normal. Silence is gold. Can we remain in Silence and seek God’s face in this hour of plague and pray for the nations?
7. The Sound of Hammer & Nails (John 19:14-24): There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
The sound of hammer and nails to us resembles the closing of the coffin where the dead body is laid inside. There are over 85,000 deaths worldwide due to covid19. Can we repent of our sins while it is yet a day, because today is the day of salvation?
“If we are born in sin, we can be forgiven if we confess unto God, but if we are dead in sin, there is no forgiveness of sins.”
The Research scholars at Oxford University studied the following about Jesus’s sufferings on the road to calvary.
1. Jesus’s height – 5’.11” and weight – 85 kgs.
2. The Cross’s weight =150 kgs, Length – 15feet, Breadth – 8ft.
3. The Nails thickness = 3/4-inch, Length – 8 inches
4. There were 5480 wounds all over his body and 150 deep wounds in his back alone.
5. There were 17 thorns piecered in his head.
6. He suffered 17 hours longing for water.
7. 350 soldiers and60 horsemen dragged Jesus whipping and beating him in the streets. St. Luke, who was a doctor certified Jesus’s death.
Let me end with a song of love, where you could say no to this man? Blessed Good Friday!
