May we Hear him Saying "it's Finished"
May the memory of Christ’s Passion remain alive in our hearts. As we reflect on each station—His falls, His pain, His mercy, and His crucifixion—may we be inspired to carry our own crosses with courage, forgive one another, and live lives of faith and compassion.
We walk in sorrow, but not without hope.
We remember death, but we await the resurrection.
May the cross we honor today be our strength every day.
"If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24
Text: John 18: 1-40,19:42
A meditative reflection of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ- the Good Friday, draws us back to the Genesis creation, the fall of man and its consequences, in addition to the establishment of a new community through covenants of Noah, Ibraheem, Moses, and the temple and sacrificial systems (Hebrews 10: 16-25). It further uses those historical redemptive intiatives as precursors to the revelation of Jesus Christ- life, ministry and mission. In this regard, it is at the cross, where the fall and its consequences, the covenant and it's promises, the temple and sacrificial systems meet with Jesus Christ in a perfect fuflmement and continuity. The cross is the pivot of history, around which everything, the whole creation, the broken fragments of human history, even sin, converges and have a radical encounter with the saviour Jesus Christ The world and the gospel meet at the cross.
1. He dwells amongst them. cf Luke 22:53: " When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me"
This verse perfectly connects God in Jesus Christ dwelling amongst them and the journey to the cross. This means, the crucifixion was not an arbitrary event, but a climax of the progressive unveiling of the life cycle of Jesus Christ and his mission. It was an ending point of a journey, yet a continuation of a new phase of life of our Lord. Stating it differently, the cross is inseparable from the life, ministry and mission of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the cross and crucifixion of Jesus Christ must be understood in context of the pre crucifixion and post crucifixion life of our Lord. It binds together with bonds of affections those two phases of life.
With this understanding, when God wants to save human begins, he dwells amongst them. In that state of dwelling, he becomes one among them in their blood and flesh, language and culture, belief and practise, strength and weakness, and in their lifecycle to progressively unveil his saving grace and plan. God became human in the person of Jesus Christ and dwelling amongst them to save them. Salvation of humanity becomes possible, because he became human. (Illustrate the story of the man who stood on the ant-hill).
We are saved because in Christ, God himself became a human being and died a human death on the cross. It is at the cross that sin encounters grace, curse meets redemption, weekness encounters strength, judgment or wrath encounters mercy,bondages encounters perfect freedom, captivity or slavery encounters ransom, and death is overcome with life
In the beginning as recorded in Genesis, God breathed life in a lifeless body, and became a living Adam. On the cross, he amplified the act of giving life to humanity that was dead, lifeless in sin, to become living beings. By the shedding of his blood, Jesus Christ gave his life to us. He didn't only surrender it to the Father ( John 19: 30 cf.Luke 23:46), but also to us through the Holy Spirit's daily application of his saving works on the cross on us.
When a sacrifice shades blood, it gives up its life. This is written in Leviticus 17:1: "Since the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement, on the alter for yourselves- because it is the blood as life that makes atonement." This was a foreshadow of the cruxification of Jesus Christ who shade his blood as life for atonement. Christ predicted this, when he said in Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man didn't come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
In the New Testament, this word was said to be used on receipts in business meaning " a debt paid in full." In a judicial context for court, it means "fully served." In the military context, Tetelestai means "battle won." A word used for triump and victory.
By giving his precious life to us through the shedding of his blood, Jesus Christ, gives us a new beginning. He envisioned a new beginning of life long journey characterised by the following:
When God wants to save human beings
The Bishop Of Mombasa, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alphonce Mwaro Baya, Led the faithful of Mombasa Diocese in remembrance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, greeted with palm branches and praises of "Hosanna" from MMC through the treasury square in style. It marks the beginning of the holy week, a time to reflect on Christ's love, sacrifice And humility.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Alphonce Mwaro Baya had the opportunity to witness the resilience and determination of the ACK Mabamani Trust Group. Formed in 2022 with just nine committed members, the group has faced significant challenges both in their development as a group and as a church community.
On the evening of Maundy Thursday, the Church came together in solemn reflection under the spiritual guidance of the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alphonse Baya. This holy day, rich in meaning and tradition, marks the beginning of the sacred three days leading to Easter.
In a deeply reverent service, Diocesan Bishop led the congregation in remembering the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples, the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and the profound act of foot washing—an expression of humility, servant leadership, and unconditional love.