GOOD FRIDAY: CALL FOR SACRIFICE, LOVE AMONG NIGERIANS

Today is observed as Good Friday by Christians all over the world.

Good Friday which is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday is used by Christians all over the world to commemorate the Passion, sufferings, crucifixion and the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross for the sins of mankind.

Good Friday is very significant to Christians as it reminds them of the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary and his resurrection.

Although, Christians from the very fundamental to very liberal, vary  in their interpretations of exactly how the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross frees man from his sins and gives him everlasting life , but they still believe the death and burial of Jesus Christ on that Friday make the victory of the resurrection possible.

On this day, many Christians engage in fasting, prayer and meditation while others abstain from eating meat, especially Catholics.

In an interview, the Vicar in charge of Saint Stephen’s Anglican Church, Sunrise Estate Emene, Enugu, the Reverend Ikechukwu Ezeakor explains that Good Friday is very significance in the Christian Calendar.

According to the Reverend Ezeakor, Good Friday is observed to remind Christians of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to mankind through death on the cross of Calvary to salvage man.

A Pentecostal Priest, the Reverend David Okoro says Jesus Christ having accepted to be crucified on the cross, teaches Christians to imbibe the habit of sacrifice and love.

Another respondent, Mr. Onichie Ogene is of the view that Good Friday should be a period of sober reflection.

In all, the respondents agree that the death of Jesus Christ made resurrection possible and urge fellow Christians to put to practice the lessons of the crucified Jesus to make the society a better place for all.

JULIET UGWU