The commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a global event where Christians worldwide reflect on the agony of Christ in His display of Agape love, which our country was charged by His Majesty King Mswati III to be our way of life in 2026. In John 3:16, the Bible says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” God had to give the highest sacrifice for humanity to be saved from eternal death.
Christ’s suffering
It is recorded in the four Gospels that the journey to the Cross included how Jesus was betrayed by one of his trusted disciples. However, it is noteworthy that during the Last Supper, as recoded in Matthew 26:20: “When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the 12 disciples and while they were eating, Jesus said: ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me’.” In verse 23, Jesus said: “The one who has dipped his hand in the bowl with me will betray me” In verse 25, Judas said: “Surely, you don’t mean me, Rabbi? “Jesus answered, ‘you have said so’.” The greatest lesson is that Jesus did not ostracise Judas; indeed, he also washed His feet and He was kind enough to tell the disciples that he who shared the Last Supper will betray him. Jesus, the Bible says, was charged with an offence he never committed. In Luke 23: 4 Pilate said: “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” It is stated that during the Passover, the Roman governor would release a prisoner chosen by the crowd, they chose Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says: “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” A criminal was set free while an innocent Christ was beaten, spat upon and humiliated for the sin of humanity. Christ’s suffering, His ultimate death and resurrection should serve as a reminder that we ought to love unconditionally. This includes those we view as the worst sinners.As we commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ, it is worth noting that humanity faces an uncertain future as war waged by Israel and the United States of America has shaken the global community with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a nerve centre for the transportation of oil. Hence, the oil prices have sharply increased, which has affected consumers globally, including those in the United States of America. Governments have been forced to intervene to cushion consumers. The threat to economies recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic is real. Hence, projected economic growth may not be realised.
Jesus, before crucifixion, once addressed the issues of the last days
War on a large scale. Jesus foretold: “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom,” Matthew 24:7 .
The wars in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, the DRC, Ukraine and now Iran serve as a reminder to Christians that these are indeed the last days.
Jesus foretold: “There will be food shortages,” Matthew 24:7. These wars, unfortunately, also trigger a food crisis, especially among the displaced. In 2024, about 2.33 billion people faced moderate to severe food insecurity, while 295 million faced acute hunger globally. Jesus said that there would be earthquakes in one place after another, Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11. These great earthquakes around the world cause suffering and loss of life on an unprecedented scale.
According to Jesus, there would be pestilences, or epidemics of terrible diseases, Luke 21:11. The world has just recovered from COVID-19, where millions lost their lives and livelihoods. Jesus foretold: “The love of many will grow cold,” Matthew 24:12. Jesus meant that love for God would grow cold.
The sad perversion of Christian Faith
It is sad that Christianity is now used as a weapon against immigrants in the United States of America. Israel is condoned when it kills innocent women and children in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and now Iran.
It is also being reported in the media that the issue of LGBTIQ+ has dominated discussions by Christian leaders during the 2026 national Easter Services. Instead of extending love to all, Christian leaders are opting to condemn others as the worst sinners, yet the Bible says that while we were all sinners, Christ died for us all.
What Good Friday should remind us
Christians are supposed to be the salt of this world. Hence, the need to remind the world that Christ’s death was not in vain. We ought to love even the unloved.
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