It was wrong of politicians to take away the public holiday status of Ascension Day

A MOTHER witnessed her son suffering atrocious abuse, inhumanely manhandled, then dragged through the dusty roads of Jerusalem before he was brutally murdered on the cross.

Few biblical commentators have given Mary, the mother of Jesus, much emphasis as to how her son’s ordeal affected her.

That she silently stood her ground and remained in Jesus’s depth of vision up to the moment he said “It is finished”, indicates Mary was a strong woman.

We must remember she was in conversation with an angel before her immaculate conception and although the gospels do not bear record to the effect, she must have been told all that would come to pass up to the crucifixion and ascension of the child she would give birth to, and this gave her the inner strength to bear the pain and scorn her son had to endure.

Believers around the world are entering a period which is arguably the most sacred on the Christian calendar.

Those who can afford it, make the pilgrimage to the holy land to re-enact the suffering of Jesus on the via Appia that leads to Calvary where He was crucified.

Those responsible thought it was done and dusted with this young rebellious upstart out of the way, but history has taught us getting rid of the proponent, doesn’t necessarily kill the idea.This proved to be the case with Christianity which, over centuries, spread across vast oceans and continents.

Easter time or the Passover has its genesis in the troika of Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but cannot be seen in isolation of Ascension Day.

This has become a hot potato in Christian circles since the fathers of faith and those in leadership have opted to remain silent when a politician, who clearly has little knowledge of the kingdom of God, signed this holy day away as a public holiday.

What was disconcerting is that the millions of South Africans (nearly 80% of the population) who profess to be Christian, remained silent.

An anonymous poet wrote: “Up arise Oh Godly Witness and your standard firmly plant, to the world the splendour showing of our glorious covenant. In the name of God our Father let us wield the spirit’s sword. Oh behold how hellish powers threaten here the Holy place and the truth try to abase. Shall Christ’s church go to destruction under these dark powers sway? No we’ll conquer or we’ll perish, with new courage join the fray.”

These somewhat militant words are in the same vein as the Revelation of John: “The kingdom of God suffereth violence and the violent takes it by storm.”

Sadly none of this fiery resistance met the decision to do away with the elevated status of Ascension Day, which unambiguously brings a logical conclusion to the troika and signals the end of Jesus’ mission on earth.

Easter celebrations are viewed as the holiest time for everyone who has accepted Jesus as their personal saviour, as the son of God, the one who the Book of Revelations reveres as: “Worthy is the lamb that was slain!”

It commences on Palm Sunday, runs into Good Friday and culminates in Easter Sunday with the resurrection of Jesus from the sepulchre – three events recorded in holy scripture as inextricably linked.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem with all the pomp and ceremony due to royalty; getting a red carpet reception with palms and robes strewn on the road, akin to getting the freedom of the city. And there was not a shortage of hallelujahs: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Yet when He told these people “my kingdom is not of this world” and “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar!” it didn’t take them long to change their tune. Three days later the same people were vociferous when they joined the calls of “away with him! crucify him!”

Some years ago a man of God, Apostle Emeritus Cecil Hendricks said those people were “two-faced”.

Which brings us to Good Friday. I have yet to find out whose bright idea it was to call it Good Friday. It was certainly not such a good one for Jesus who nearly broke under the tremendous strain when He cried: “Father please remove this cup, it is bitter!”

For us it was a good one for Christians believe He died to take away the sin of the entire world.

It is mind boggling that centuries before the arrival of Jesus, his place of birth of Bethlehem, his names of Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace as well as how he would be taunted and led “like a lamb to the slaughter” were prophesied and documented with accuracy.

Centuries later the great 17th century composer Georg Handel immortalised the crucifixion of Jesus during the summer of 1741 with his inimitable Messiah, which is performed by choirs and orchestras around the world on Good Friday. The second part of this musical masterpiece focuses on Jesus’ death and resurrection.

While Handel was busy with this great work he was found in tears and, when questioned, replied: “I did think I saw heaven open and saw the very face of God!”

This is a time of the year when churches are packed to capacity and priests run out of holy communion.

Priest Emeritus J Colin Jooste recently retired from the priesthood after 47 years service.