Jesus defeated the powers of evil

Apr 13, 2009

EDITOR—The anniversary of Jesus’ crucifixion was celebrated last week. Christians call the Friday on which Jesus was executed, Good Friday because the powers of evil were defeated for the salvation of the world. Jesus was rejected and killed for what

EDITOR—The anniversary of Jesus’ crucifixion was celebrated last week. Christians call the Friday on which Jesus was executed, Good Friday because the powers of evil were defeated for the salvation of the world. Jesus was rejected and killed for what He stood ror— the salvation of mankind.

We may ask ourselves why Jesus, who fed the hungry, healed the sick and resurrected the dead, aroused such bitter hatred and was crucified. The answer is that He is the chief casualty in the battle between good and evil both in the world and in our souls. When some terrible example of evil like human sacrifice, rears its ugly head, the goodness in us is stirred to anger and action. Of that we are proud. But we are less proud and happy if one farmer has a more successful harvest of millet than us!

His success stirs the evil in us and makes us want to destroy that farmer. That is why Christ was put to death. Jesus was not executed by a gang of armed robbers but by well respected people, according to the standards of the world.

These people will do the same to Christian disciples today. The test of their loyalty to Christ does not lie in their success nor in the praise they evoke but in their readiness to be persecuted and hated.

For example, a girl may decide not to marry in order to look after her terminally sick aunt, or a nun may harm her health by fasting. A priest may rob himself of sleep in order to pray. These people are considered misguided!

Canon George Noel Enyagu
Wera, Soroti

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