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To deny something is the firm refusal to accept and admit that you have knowledge and responsibility for something. It is divine to deny things you do not know as espoused by Christ. However, the outright refusal to admit knowledge of things one is privy to will be completely unacceptable even by the standards of this sinful world. A few hours before 3 pm on one late afternoon in April AD 33, the Lord Jesus Christ suffered a gargantuan denial by his bosom friend in the person of Apostle Simon Peter. Jesus went through a lot, especially the last 24 hours before His crucifixion. He was first deserted by everyone, including His disciples, after another Apostle of His betrayed Him to the Chief Priest and his men. Looking around, the only one who appeared to be monitoring how the event would turn out at a distance was Apostle Peter. “But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.” (Matthew 26:58). Mercy is when your most trusted friend’s loyalty begins to oscillate under certain temperatures and pressure awaiting the outcome of an event before determining its final resting place. Which way was the pendulum of Apostle Peter’s loyalty going to finally rest by the fireside before the crucifixion of his bosom friend? This article aims to examine some of the predispositions and causes of denial and recommend ways of handling them in our Christian pilgrimage.

Apostle Simon Peter, who was called with his brother Andrew by Jesus, was one of His three closest apostles among the twelve He called. In my opinion, he was Jesus’ aide, spokesperson for the twelve, and Chief of Staff during Christ’s earthly ministry. There seemed to be a particular spiritual connectivity between him and Christ when he was spotted. When he was brought to Jesus by his brother Andrew, Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).” (John 1:42). From that day till some few hours before the crucifixion, Peter was the Apostle who, per the account of scripture, asked Christ more questions than any single one of them. He equally answered most of the questions Christ posed to them during His teaching services and wasn’t too bothered about getting those responses wrong. Peter was the only one among the twelve to gather the nerves to rebuke Jesus or openly disagree with Him on some issues. At one point, when Christ told them about His pending death, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22). At this, Jesus turned to him and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23).

Just before this counter rebuke by Christ, Peter was the only one amongst the twelve who got the revelation of the Messianic nature of Christ correct. Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17). The occasional banter and free flow of expression with clear motives instead became a catalyst of the bond of love that was brewing between them. Unlike most human relationships characterized by antagonism and suspicions in the slightest disagreement, the love between Peter and Christ, I would say, increased with increasing divergent views on specific pertinent issues. Indeed, Peter was equally the only one who could gather the strength to ask Christ about their welfare and pension package for following Him. Not many employers or human resource managers can contain and entertain such sensitive discussions publicly. He asked his boss, Christ, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27). The Lord’s reply to this question by Peter settled matters that were probably bothering and disturbing the minds of possibly many of the apostles who had become Christ’ followers.

Meanwhile, the time Peter brought this matter for discussion was after Jesus had aggressively rebuked him for trying to resist His death. Any other person would have coiled back into their shells for fear of further embarrassment for speaking up during their caucus meetings. Yet Christ’s response to their emoluments still resounds today in the ears and hearts of both the laity and those called into full-time ministry and even all workers in the Lord’s vineyard business. A special tribute must be paid to the late Apostle Simon Peter by all workers in the Lord’s vineyard business for asking for clarification on their staff welfare and retirement package. I think this is why many would never bother to put on red armbands to fight their human employers because the package, as elaborated by Jesus, was juicier and far beyond their expectations. To the twelve apostles, Jesus answered Peter, saying, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And for all other subsequent followers of Christ, including you and I, Jesus continued, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:28-29).

That could have also accounted for why Christ didn’t witness any upheavals or agitations by His followers regarding their retirement package. Indefatigable Peter was equally the one who stood up and assured the Lord when some followers started leaving Jesus that they (i.e., the twelve) had nowhere going, so He should relax. On the question of whether they were also going to leave Him, Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69). Let us, therefore, countenance divergent opinions at times, especially from those who may appear assertive within the household, marketplace, or church settings. They may not mean any malice, and like Peter, their usefulness usually outlives their generation.

Unfortunately, the storms of this life started blowing somewhat hard against this beautiful relationship between Jesus and Peter during the former’s last few days on Earth. A few hours before He was arrested, the Lord took the apostles to the Mount of Olives to pray for strength since He knew what would happen to Him and which would affect them. He selected Peter, James, and John, who could be best described as His inner core, and charged them to wait with Him in prayer after they moved a little farther away from the rest. He told them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38). The Lord, at this point, expected at least all three of them, even if not His entire team to share in His pain and anguish. To request a trusted friend to keep watch with you is asking them to offer their uttermost attention, care, support, and concern in a difficult moment. At Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, what Jesus required from the three was explicitly to support Him with prayers as He prayed.

However, when He watched their direction after an hour elapsed, He realized all three of them were asleep. Wow! One would have thought that two out of the three or even one, say Peter or His beloved John, would be there for Him. Yet, when He sought fellowship and inspiration from them, He had none. “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. (Matthew 26:40). For three consecutive times, the three could still get sleep for their eyes when their Master was crying in pain. Had they all plotted to show the Messiah a bitter lesson? Obviously No! They did not conspire against Jesus. “When he came back, he again found them sleeping because their eyes were heavy.”

One wonders how sleepy or heavy eyes became so infectious to all three simultaneously, even after Jesus’ intermittent reminders to them hourly. After the third time, Jesus asked them in verse 45, “Are you still sleeping and resting? In all of these, the Lord never took those unpardonable weaknesses they exhibited personal by severing their relationship with Him. The Christian walk is full of such occurrences and surprises from people we least expect to desert us in times when they are needed most. They may be genuinely tired or spiritually dozing off due to their strength levels against the challenges. Now, what probably broke the Camel’s back after He descended from Gethsemane was when all the disciples this time around deserted Him and fled for their lives. “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:56b).

The Lord, in all of this, did not cut ties with His disciples because He knew He would still need them in those crucial moments and more especially after His resurrection. People who desert us and our brand when we need them most must not be perceived as opponents because they would still be helpful after the mist has rolled away.

After His en-bloc desertion and monumental betrayal by Apostle Judas, the Lord underwent another painful denial; the world may not witness its kind until the end. It happened by the fireside, with the culprit being no other than His own Apostle Peter. Did all of this happen around the same time? Of course, yes! These were all unfolding within a matter of hours, if not minutes. The world was getting darker until noon when utter darkness covered the world for three hours. For three consecutive times running, Peter said he did not know who Jesus was when he was being interrogated. To clear all doubts about what he was saying, “He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” (Mark 12:71). Wow! This passes as the Greatest of all Time (G.O.A.T) Denial by a man born of a woman. And like the Monumental betrayal by Apostle Judas, this was also meted out to Christ for our sake.

At the time of this record-breaking denial, Jesus knew Peter was the one He would entrust the flock to His care after resurrecting and before ascending to His Father’s Kingdom. What would have been your reaction if you were Christ and, just after the news of your resurrection, you saw Peter also running towards your tomb to verify things for himself? For some, that would have been the end of their relationship. Others would have confronted and embarrassed him with name callings such as “hypocrite, liar, a snake under grass, greedy bastard, wicked Apostle, etc. Jesus, however, confronted Peter’s gargantuan denial with an immeasurable amount of Love at their next meeting. No wonder Peter had no option but to offer his best for Christ when he got the needed implements after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

It is worth noting that whereas John the Baptist literally denied his successor by the question he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, Peter also denied his predecessor. The former did it out of offense with a question, and the latter with an answer out of fear. (Luke 7:22). Jesus, therefore, became a victim of hurtful denials by the one who introduced him to public ministry and the other who bid Him farewell before His ascension to Heaven. In all this, He kept His focus and brought His task to a victorious and glorious end. Believers must understand the bitter truth that all manner of denials and betrayals from unsuspecting personalities aren’t unusual in our pilgrimage. Here again, it should not be taken too personal because the reason for the denial may be borne out of fear and not malice or wickedness. (Matthew 26:75).

Those who desert, betray, and deny their comrades when needed most are those who lack spiritual strength or have energies already used up. When the Lord called the disciples for a prayer session at Gethsemane, they went and dozed off. Knowing what lay ahead of Peter, He warned him on the mountain before they descended to watch and pray; otherwise, he entered into temptation. No wonder Peter’s abysmal performance before little girls when the going was getting tough. He was even lucky that the Lord had already prayed for his preservation since Satan wanted to sift him as wheat. (Luke 22:31-32). Let us keep a quality devotional life as Christians to keep us from deserting, disappointing, betraying, and denying fellow believers who desperately rely on us in their dark moments of pain and trials.

From the above, it would be realized that the only tried and tested antidote to denial and its effects is the expression of God’s Love. It neutralizes the venom responsible for breaking apart relationships and binds the parties together. The Apostle who swore before Little Girls to have nothing to do with Christ was the same person who proclaimed before Men that he would rather obey God than them. (Acts 5:29). Stay blessed.

Written by Pastor James Agyin

INTRODUCTION

The Passover Feast and Easter Celebration are two of the most significant celebrations cherished by Judaism and Christian traditions, respectively. These celebrations may appear distinct from one another but are deeply connected through various shared themes. The Passover Feast, as recorded in Exodus 12, commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, serves as a foundational event in Jewish history and faith. Similarly, Easter, celebrating the trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, serves as the foundation of Christianity and is central to our Christian beliefs and practices. In this article, we will explore the parallels between the Passover Feast and the Easter Celebration, drawing out the typologies that exist between them to draw some lessons for contemporary Christians.

HISTORICAL ORIGIN OF THE PASSOVER AND EASTER CELEBRATIONS

The idea of typology has to do with New Testament indications of patterns and people in the Old Testament, who were, in a sense, created to serve as pre-figured shapes of what Christ would do. To understand the typology between the Passover Feast and Easter Celebration, it is important to first understand the historical events that these celebrations commemorate. The Passover Feast originated from the story of the Exodus of the nation of Israel, as described in the Book of Exodus. According to the biblical account, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt under the rule of Pharaoh, who oppressed and mistreated them. In response to their cries for deliverance, God raised Moses as a leader to lead the Israelites out of bondage and into freedom. Through a series of miraculous plagues and events, including the Passover Sacrifice, the Israelites were ultimately liberated from slavery and began their journey to the Promised Land.

Similarly, Easter commemorates the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; it reminds Christians of the vicarious death of Christ, that is, the agony and disgrace Christ had to go through. Jesus was crucified by the Romans as a criminal, but three days later, he rose from the dead, conquering sin and death and offering salvation to all who believe in him. The Easter celebration marks the culmination of Jesus’ life and ministry, emphasising his sacrificial death as atonement for the sins of humanity and his victorious resurrection as a sign of new life and hope.

THE TYPOLOGY BETWEEN THE PASSOVER FEAST AND EASTER CELEBRATION

The Passover Feast in the Jewish tradition serves as a typology, or foreshadowing, of the Easter celebration in Christianity. Both celebrations share several themes and symbols that connect them in a meaningful way:

1. TYPOLOGY OF LIBERATION AND REDEMPTION

One of the key typologies between the Passover Feast and Easter Celebration is the theme of liberation and redemption. In the Passover story, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, held captive by Pharaoh’s tyranny and oppression. Through the intervention of God, they were set free from bondage and led to freedom in the wilderness. The Passover Feast serves as a symbolic remembrance of this liberation, with the retelling of the Exodus story, the eating of unleavened bread, and the sacrificial lamb pointing to the deliverance and redemption that God provided for his people.

Similarly, in the Easter story, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection represent the ultimate act of liberation and redemption for humanity. C.H. Spurgeon once said, “the heart of the gospel is redemption, and the essence of redemption is the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ”. By dying on the cross, Jesus paid the price for sin and broke the power of death, offering salvation and forgiveness to all who believe in him. His resurrection symbolises new life and victory over sin and death, demonstrating God’s power to redeem and restore broken lives. The Easter Celebration serves as a reminder of this redemption, with the symbols of the cross, the empty tomb, and the resurrection pointing to the transformative work of Christ in the lives of believers.

2.  SACRIFICE AND ATONEMENT

Another typology between the Passover Feast and Easter Celebration is the theme of sacrifice and atonement. In the Passover story, the sacrificial lamb plays a central role in the redemption of the Israelites. According to God’s instructions, each household was to select a perfect lamb, slaughter it, and place its blood on the doorposts of their homes. When the Angel of Death passed over Egypt, he spared the houses marked with the blood of the lamb but visited judgment on the rest. The sacrificial lamb thus served as a substitute for the firstborn sons of Israel, offering protection and deliverance from death.

In the Easter story, Jesus is portrayed as the sacrificial Lamb of God, whose death atones for the sins of humanity. As the perfect and sinless Son of God, Jesus willingly offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross, shedding his blood for the forgiveness of sins. His death is seen as the ultimate act of atonement, reconciling humanity with God and paving the way for salvation and eternal life. The Easter Celebration commemorates this sacrifice, with the symbols of the cross, the blood, and the bread and wine in the Eucharist representing the body and blood of Christ given for the redemption of all.

3. NEW LIFE AND RESURRECTION

Another typology is the theme of new life and resurrection. In the Passover story, the Israelites experienced a new beginning as they were led out of slavery into freedom. Their journey through the wilderness was a time of testing, purification, renewal, and transformation. The Passover Feast marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land and fulfil God’s covenant with them.

Jesus’ resurrection in the Easter celebration signifies a new beginning for humanity, as believers are reconciled with God and given the promise of eternal life. By rising from the dead, Jesus demonstrated his power over sin and death, offering the hope of resurrection to all who believe in him. The Easter Celebration proclaims the victory of Christ over the grave, with believers participating in his resurrection through faith and baptism. According to Romans 6:4 NIV,

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

LESSONS FOR TODAY’S CHURCH

I want to conclude by providing some lessons from these typologies for today’s believers. Christians must not view Easter as just an annual celebration that comes and goes. Instead, it calls for constant reflection on the freedom and new life Christ’s death and resurrection brought mankind. The believer must live their lives in a way that truly reflects the newness of life in Christ.

Also, Jesus’ willingness to lay down his life for the salvation of humanity, demonstrating the ultimate act of self-sacrifice motivated by love, is worth emulating by all. This must challenge all Christians to prioritise serving others, putting the needs of others above their own, and embodying a spirit of humility and generosity in their interaction with others.

In conclusion, we learn of the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, Jesus provided a means for all people to be forgiven and reconciled back to God. This must serve as a reminder for Christians to extend forgiveness and reconciliation to others, following Jesus ‘example of unconditional love and mercy. As we observe the Easter Celebration, may we be reminded of the timeless truths of God’s love, mercy, and grace, and may we experience the power of redemption and resurrection in our own lives.

Written by Pastor Prince Augustine Ababio (Jema Nkwanta District- Kintampo Area)

INTRODUCTION 

The Old Testament foretold the death of Christ. Gen. 3:15 says that Satan, the Serpent, would ‘bruise’ the head of the special person to come. The mystery of the cross of Christ is depicted by the serpent of bronze, a type of Christ “made sin for us” in bearing the penalty we deserved. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). 

We deserved to die in place of Christ, but He rather died for our sins. Christ took the punishment on Himself in our place. “He substituted himself for us and took what we rightly deserved. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).

22 What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but 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!” 25 All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified (Matt 27:22-26, NIV)

This write-up seeks to look at the ten stages of suffering Jesus went through during the crucifixion and the significance of these sufferings to the world.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

CRUCIFY: The English dictionary defines “crucify” to mean to execute a person by nailing to a cross. Or to punish or otherwise express extreme anger at, especially as a scapegoat or target of outrage.

CRUCIFIXION: This historical method of capital punishment involves tying or nailing the victim to a large wooden beam, leaving them to hang for several days until they succumb to exhaustion and asphyxia. The word “crucifixion” comes from the Latin word “crucifixio” or “crucifixus,” meaning “fixed to a cross.” The Greek word for the crucifixion is staurōsē (σταυρώσει). It comes from the verb stauroō (σταυρόω), which means “to crucify.”

CRUCIFIXION IN HISTORY: In antiquity, crucifixion was considered one of the most brutal and shameful modes of death. The Persians systematically used it in the 6th century BC, likely originating from the Assyrians and Babylonians. Alexander the Great brought it from there to the eastern Mediterranean countries in the 4th century BC, and the Phoenicians introduced it to Rome in the 3rd century BC. Pre-Hellenic Greece rarely used it. Constantine I abolished crucifixion in the 4th century AD after the Romans perfected it for 500 years. Crucifixion in Roman times was applied mostly to slaves, disgraced soldiers, Christians, and foreigners—only very rarely to Roman citizens. Death, usually after 6 hours–4 days, was due to multifactorial pathology: after-effects of compulsory scourging and maiming, haemorrhage, and dehydration causing hypovolemic shock and pain, but the most important factor was progressive asphyxia caused by impairment of respiratory movement. Resultant anoxemia exaggerated hypovolemic shock. Death was probably commonly precipitated by cardiac arrest, caused by vasovagal reflexes, initiated, among other things, by severe anoxemia, severe pain, body blows, and breaking of the large bones. The attending Roman guards could only leave the site after the victim had died and were known to precipitate death by means of deliberate fracturing of the tibia and/or fibula, spear stab wounds into the heart, sharp blows to the front of the chest, or a smoking fire built at the foot of the cross to asphyxiate the victim.

STAGES OF CHRIST’S SUFFERING LEADING UP TO HIS CRUCIFIXION

HE BEGAN TO BE SORROWFUL (MATT. 26:37): He was depressed because he was under a great deal of stress about what lay ahead of him. He didn’t mind the physical death, but he feared the spiritual death—that is, the separation from his father, God. It was in Gethsemane that he experienced this agony. This location represents “Torculus Olei,” an olive mill that grinds oil. There, the Lord was pleased to “bruise” and crush him so that all believers would receive fresh oil from him.

SPIT STRUCK AND SLAPPED (MATT 26:67): This is the second stage of suffering Jesus went through. After his arrest, the disciples abandoned him, and he was brought to Caiaphas and the Jewish Council. They blindfold him, repeatedly ridicule him, spit on him, and hit him in the face.

HANDED HIM OVER TO PONTIUS PILATE (MATT. 27:2): The third stage of suffering took place the next morning. Pilate, the Roman governor of the region, takes Jesus, already battered and exhausted, through Jerusalem to question him. Reluctant to sentence Jesus, he offers to release him. But the leaders and the crowd refused to let Jesus go and asked instead for the release of the notorious robber Barrabas. Jesus is flogged and handed over to be crucified. Note that from the place of Caiaphas to Pilate, it is nearly a mile. Jesus’ hands have been clipped at his back to cross Jerusalem by foot to this place.

PILATE HAD JESUS FLOGGED (MATT. 27:26): Flogging was the fourth stage of Christ’s sufferings leading up to his crucifixion. Roman flogging involved stripping the victim of his garments, stretching him against a pillar or bending him over a low post with his hands tied. The instrument of torture was a short wooden handle that had several strips of leather attached to it. Interwoven into the pieces of leather were bits of iron or bones. Two men usually whip the victim, one lashing the victim from one side and the other from the other. This led to severe cuts in the flesh, exposing veins, arteries, and sometimes even inner organs. Sometimes, victims died during the flogging. Flogging was a brutal form of torture. The severe flogging that Jesus endured was surely the greatest physical reason he was not able to carry his own cross all the way to Golgotha. “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds, we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24)

A SCARLET ROBE …A CROWN OF THORNS (MATT. 27:28-29): The Roman soldiers position Jesus in the middle, drape a robe across his shoulder, place a stick in his hand, and press a circle of branches covered with long thorns into his hand. The soldiers make fun of him as they hit him across the face and head, diving the thorns deeper into his scalp.

LED HIM AWAY TO CRUCIFY HIM (MATT. 27: 31): This stage involved tying a heavy beam to his shoulders. He began the slow journey to Golgotha. The weight of the wooden beam, together with the severe physical exhaustion, causes him to fall. He tries to rise but cannot. Simon is forced to carry the cross of Christ. 

THEY … CRUCIFIED HIM (MATT. 27:35): This took place at Golgotha (a hill called ‘Skull’ where executions were often performed). The cross beam is placed on the ground, and Jesus is laid on it. He stretches his arms along the beams, driving a heavy, square, wrought iron nail through his hand and deep into the wood. Next, he lifts the cross using ropes or ladders, and ties or nails the cross beam to an upright beam that has a support attached to it.

HURLED INSULTS AT HIM (MATT. 27:39): The eighth stage of suffering involves personal humiliation from those who witnessed this gruesome event and came by to observe the public execution. By now, Jesus is a pathetic spectacle, blood-streaked, covered with wounds, and exposed to all views. He experienced hours of pain in the body—fatigue in the arms, great waves of muscle cramps, and skin torn from the back. Eventually, another aspect of agony begins: a crushing pain deep in his chest as fluid builds up, quenching his breath and compressing his heart. He feels an intense thirst (John 19:28) and is well aware of the abuse and ridicule of those who pass by the cross. Those who raised insults at Jesus were the passers-by, the chief priests, the elders, and the robbers too. 

THE FATHER FORSAKEN HIM (MATT. 27:46): This is perhaps the worst and most fearful suffering Jesus went through before his death. It is not only involved in physical torture but also in the spiritual anguish of an unimaginable sense of separation from God, which is the ultimate consequence of sin. His saying in Aramaic, “My God, My God, why have thou forsaken me?” indicates that Christ experienced the separation from God that was in store for all people as a result of sin. We cannot fully comprehend the sense of abandonment that Jesus felt as he hung on the cross. Here, we see God’s son, the creator of the universe (John 1:1–3), not only rejected by man but also isolated from the one who is everywhere. Even though he had never sinned, God made him “to be sin for us.”

JESUS … CRIED OUT AGAIN (MATT 27:50): At the final stage of the suffering surrounding Christ’s death and sacrifice for our sins, Jesus cries out in a loud voice, “It is finished” (John 19:30). These final words mark the end of his sufferings and the completion of his mission to pay the ultimate price for our sins and restore our opportunity for a personal relationship with God.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S SUFFERING 

The significance of Christ’s suffering is a central theme in Christian theology and has various theological, spiritual, and ethical implications.

REDEMPTION AND ATONEMENT: Christian doctrine posits that Christ’s suffering, particularly his crucifixion, served as the ultimate sacrifice to atone for humanity’s sins. The idea of atonement relies on this deed, asserting that Jesus’ death restored the relationship shattered by sin and united humanity and God.

VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH: Christ’s suffering and resurrection symbolise the triumph over sin and death. Jesus showed that he was willing to submit to God’s will by going through suffering and dying on the cross. This provided believers with a means to overcome sin and secure eternal life.

IDENTIFICATION WITH HUMAN SUFFERING: The perception of Jesus as fully identifying with human suffering stems from his own personal experiences. Believers going through their own hardships can find solace and hope in this part of Christ’s suffering because they know they have a sympathetic and caring Saviour who shares their suffering.

EXAMPLE OF LOVE AND SACRIFICE: Many people hold the view that Christ’s suffering represents the height of love and selflessness. It offers Christians a role model to follow, inspiring deeds of kindness, forgiveness, and service to others.

FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY: Christians believe that Christ’s suffering and death fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies, highlighting the historical continuity and fulfilment of God’s plan of salvation.

CONCLUSION

We must be convinced that our Lord Jesus did, in fact, die for us, and we must rely only on Him. For believers, relying on their own discernment and guidance is highly unsettling. Christ has made it possible for us to depend on Him for almost everything through His death. He commands us to obey him completely, and we must rely solely on him. Being obedient to his righteous feet and following His example.

Written by Pastor Bismark Aidan (Apam District)

A little over 2,000 years ago, an innocent young Man in His early 30’s was betrayed by one of His closest pals. That single act, perpetuated by a chosen Apostle, is the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T) betrayal this world would ever witness. And who else could have been at the receiving end? Our one and only Christ, the Messiah. Jesus was betrayed, not that He felt betrayed like some of us sometimes experience. Betrayal is the sense of being harmed by a trusted person’s intentional actions or omissions. In the context of our discussion, it is an act of deliberate disloyalty exhibited by a trusted person to one’s detriment.

After forty days of fasting and prayer, Jesus presented His mandate in Luke 4:18-19 to the congregation in the temple. He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

To help push and execute this assignment around the first century AD, Jesus prayerfully and carefully selected twelve men called the twelve (12) apostles. He picked them with the notion of transforming them unto His likeness so they could equally multiply their kind throughout the world after He had gone to be with the Father. From His teachings of the beatitudes until the period just before His crucifixion, the twelve trusted apostles enjoyed good fellowship with Jesus. Even when rebuked by Him, they took it in good faith and clinched even closer to Him. As a good Teacher, He came to their level and even gave some nicknames and shared secrets He did not expect them to tell others until His resurrection. After one outreach, they rejoiced that even the demons obeyed their commands. When some of the disciples opted to stop following Him, Jesus asked the twelve if they also wanted to leave. Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66-69).

None of the twelve (12) at this time gave his colleagues any clue of his misgivings or grievances against the Lord. However, Christ knew that one of them had started admiring the world and entertaining Satan in his heart. As early as John chapter six, Jesus announced to the apostles that one of them would betray Him. He told them in John 6:70, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” The apostles probably saw such statements as one of His weird parables He often told them. Was that how Judas himself saw it? Unfortunately, all the clues Christ gave him were brushed aside. Were these early warning signals by Christ not meant for the apostles and Judas himself to work at it? Or better still, leave that for some unbelievers or new converts to execute since someone must, by all means, betray Him for our salvation? Is it true that those who betray others do not know until D-day? That is what even makes Apostle Judas’ betrayal a monumental and a record-breaking one that will stay in the world’s books of records until thy Kingdom comes.

The objective of the write-up is to examine how trusted people betray the trust reposed on them and suggest ways of managing such people once their footsteps are sensed. I would also seek to advise all who have specialised in betraying people on desisting from such ungodly practices using the end of Apostle Judas as a case study.

Ordinarily, it shouldn’t be too difficult to predict who a person’s betrayers would be in the household setting, the marketplace, or even amongst the company of believers. Jealous, envious, and greedy characters and those who harbour intense hatred for others are easy suspects to pick whenever a betrayal occurs. In John’s account, Jesus rebuked the apostles, especially Judas, for harassing a woman who anointed His head with her expensive perfume before He died. He told them, “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” The Lord exposed the inherent weaknesses in that argument and singled out Judas as a dishonest person with no integrity. (John 12:4-8).

Was Apostle Judas offended at this open rebuke? According to the account of Matthew, the next thing Judas did was to visit the Chief Priest and negotiate with them on how much they would pay him if he betrayed Jesus to them. Wow! It is, therefore, not out of place to conclude that one of the things that also leads to the betrayal of others is an offence. He asked the Chief Priest, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you? So, they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on, Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Matthew 26:14-16). It would be better to openly discuss and deal with an offence if it’s becoming challenging to forgive and let go than to harbour resentment, which can lead to a betrayal.

Apostle Judas started so well, but towards the end of his Master’s days on earth, he started “flirting” with the Chief Priest and his officials. Little did he know that by pitching camp with the opponents of Christ, he was threading on very slippery grounds. Why didn’t he open up to one of the disciples about the money in his pocket, even if he was afraid to tell Christ and own up openly? Unfortunately, Corrupt minds and hearts, courtesy of a lousy company, would almost always betray others helplessly, even if they don’t want to. Judas wouldn’t have had easy access to the opponents of Christ if he had not already gained their confidence and trust. Discussing how much they were willing to.

“Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. (Matthew 26:48-50). According to Luke’s account, “Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”(Luke 22:48). It is instructive to learn that betrayers have their own arranged symbols, signs, and media they use to perpetuate their acts. In Matthew 26:48-49, Judas chose “kissing” of his victim for his operation. Choosing the language of Love to betray the Love of God in the person of Christ, coupled with his behaviour at the Last Supper, is why I think his betrayal was monumental. Today, there are many more avenues of betrayal to watch out for. These include but are not limited to strategic visits, offering gifts for entrapment, recording others unknowingly, or putting phones on loudspeakers without informing the party at the other end, etc.

It is worth noting that professional betrayers usually don’t operate in an aggressive mode because the objective is to wrought their wicked acts under the guise of Love and friendliness. They typically come singing fake praises, but like Jesus did with Judas, one must stay alert and spiritually conscious anytime their footsteps are sensed. Dealing with aggressive people sometimes becomes much simpler and less stressful in the long term. It is better to manage an aggressive “Peter” than lurk around with a hypocritical “Judas.”

The tricky part of the betrayal of Jesus was His foreknowledge about the person even before the time, yet he still managed to dine with him before D-day. How many of us could’ve accommodated Judas before the day of his betrayal without messing up the entire salvation process? It takes Grace to dine with a person who you know has harboured hatred for you and is waiting to explode in a matter of hours. Even though nothing ever surprises the Sovereign and all-knowing God, Jesus’ rhetoric about the mode Judas chose to hand Him over to be crucified smacks some level of surprise. He only expressed His shock in the manner through which he betrayed Him. He, however, still called Judas, His friend, saying, “Do what you came for, friend.” (Matthew 26:50).

If Jesus were to be one of us, we would still have wondered how an Apostle on earth could have done that against us. Convincing answers would have been sought before completing the task of procuring the salvation of humankind. Many have, thus, given up on their God-given projects intended to be a blessing not only unto themselves but also to their household and generations due to a betrayal they cannot still come to terms with. Judging from the mode of kiss the Apostle used in betraying his Boss, others in the shoes of Christ would have fought Judas vehemently by any available means, including a possible physical assault. It was, therefore, not surprising that Peter pulled a sword and slashed the ear of one servant in the company of Judas. This option could also have encouraged the thugs who came to arrest Jesus, which would have been bloody for the other apostles of Christ. Physical assault of your betrayers, no matter how painful, can also not be the way to go because you may likely put many more innocent people in harm’s way. So, Jesus immediately fixed back and restored the ear of the high Priest’s servant. Realising how compromised Judas had become, many in the shoes of Christ would have severed normal relationships with him and planned for his early replacement before it would be too late.

In today’s world, many would have set Judas up with some of the modern-day electronic gadgets to record all the proceedings of Judas and the Chief Priest. Was that in any way going to bring repentance to Judas’ infected heart by Satan? Therefore, it is not surprising that even the possibility of entrapment and awareness of a CCTV recording in our society today is still insufficient to prevent a heart determined to patronise ill-gotten riches. At best, these gadgets may only explain what happened, but they can’t prevent such evil occurrences. The mere deployment of electronic devices cannot transform a callous heart. It is the Lord Jesus who heals such a warped heart. Some would also have picked issues with the remaining eleven Apostles as comrades who could not sit Judas down and reprimand him for the strange attitude he had begun putting up.

Advising people is divine, but a heart focused on the course of betrayal is another thing and level all together. Jesus, therefore, chose instead to pray for His apostles, including Judas. Praying to the Father in John 17:9, Jesus said, “I pray for them…He continued in verse 12, “None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” So, let us also do the same as the first step in managing those we sense are likely to betray us.

The million-dollar question is whether Apostle Judas really needed the thirty pieces of silver the Chief Priest gave him. This works to a maximum of Two Hundred and Eighty dollars ($280.00) in today’s terms. Was he able to spend that money in any profitable way? “So, Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:5). The money was used to purchase the parcel of land called the Field of Blood. According to Acts 1:18, it was on that piece of land that he hanged himself and died. It appeared Judas lost interest in some of the prayer meetings Christ called with His apostles. At the last 3-hour marathon prayer, the Lord called at Gethsemane; Judas absented himself because he was with the Chief Priest and his men. (Matthew 26:46-49). What could have accounted for this?

Meanwhile, this Apostle of Christ ironically appeared to be in the good books of the office of the Chief Priest. (Mark 14:10). Those whose preoccupation is to always please men, even at God’s expense, are suspects in any betrayal incidence. From the above, greed, envy, wickedness, hatred, bitterness, hypocrisy, ingratitude, men-pleasing syndrome, lousy company, and ill-advised ambitions are some traits that drive people to betray their neighbours.

Learning from Christ lets us all manage our betrayers maturely so we don’t behave as though something strange is happening to us. Do not also end up making everyone a scapegoat out of that single person who betrayed you. Your strength far outweighs theirs, so be sober and exhibit the highest Christian values since the end will always be glorious. Let us all guard our spirits and hearts, or else we will threaten to break the record of the Apostle, who was instead supposed to be a module and example for people like Martha and Lazarus to emulate. If you have been contracted to betray someone for any handsome reward, please repent and desist from that wicked act. The bizarre end of the Late Apostle Judas offers us enough lessons for our Christian pilgrimage. Walking in the Spirit and eschewing all manner of evil, men-pleasing, and hypocritical tendencies are ways of avoiding the tag of a betrayer. Stay blessed.

Written by Pastor James Orhin Agyin