GOOD FRIDAY - Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Crimes against the innocent have been committed in all ages by people who claim total submission to God. That is evil that presents itself as good.
The cross and the crown of thorns are symbols of that evil. They are not a piece of decoration which we hang on the walls of our houses or carry around our necks, helping us to feel good and protected. The cross was an instrument of torture and execution.
This violence becomes even more violent when inflicted upon the innocent. It goes hand in hand with injustice and oppression. And evil men always find a way of justifying themselves and demonising those they consider to be enemies.
Jesus was accused of being a false prophet, of misleading the people and fomenting revolt. He was accused of being power hungry and of high treason against the state. It does not matter that the accusations were fabricated. For the powerful all means are good in order to silence any challenging voice, mainly the voice of truth and the voice of love.
In Jesus’ case, as in so many cases throughout history, the religious authorities colluded with the State to squash the challenge presented by Jesus.
As we look at the pain and suffering of Jesus, let us open our eyes and look at the pain and suffering of the innocent at the hands of evil people who claim to be good.
One hears with horror the news of violence and of people ready to commit suicide in order to multiply the casualties. It was in France and now in Belgium. It is in Syria and Iraq - by the Islamic State; and it is Nigeria and neighbouring countries by the Boko Haram. Claiming obedience to God, they shed the blood of innocent people.
However, it is not surprising. They are just following in the footsteps of their violent founder. Indeed, there is an abysm between Jesus Christ and Muhammad. Jesus preached non-violence and died on the cross. Following in his footsteps, since the very beginning, thousands of Christians have paid with their blood their faithfulness to Jesus. Muhammad, on the other hand, organised an army and imposed himself as a prophet with the sword in his hand. He created a religion and an empire. His aim and the aim of those who faithfully follow him was and is to impose Islam on the whole world, as we can find in traditions about the prophet:
“Allah's Apostle said, "I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' and whoever says, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' his life and property will be saved by me except for Islamic law, and his accounts will be with Allah, (either to punish him or to forgive him.)” (from Al Bukhari, volume 4, book 52, number 196)
“While we were in the Mosque, the Prophet came out and said, "Let us go to the Jews" We went out till we reached Bait-ul- idras. He said to them, "If you embrace Islam, you will be safe. You should know that the earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and I want to expel you from this land. So, if anyone amongst you owns some property, he is permitted to sell it, otherwise you should know that the Earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle.” (from Al Bukhari, volume 4, book 53, number 392.
Up to today, Christians are the most persecuted of all religious groups, because of their faith in Jesus Christ, and that happens mainly in muslim countries.
Jesus did not embrace violence. He embraced the cross, transforming it through his love and faithfulness into a sign of blessing.
“though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:6-8).
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