Holy Week is upon us and springtime has commenced. As a predominantly Christian nation, many of us will spend the week reflecting on the life and times of Jesus Christ with specific emphasis on his final days on the face of the earth. In the words of the Apostle Paul, some Christians will seek to "know him in the fellowship of his suffering" as they seek to identify with the predicament of a savior that laid down his life for the redemption of mankind.
The passion of the Christ is expected to dominate the airwaves and pulpits across our archipelago of islands this week. This week of introspection could not have come at a better time in our country as we have recently had to grapple with headline after headline that gives our nation global attention for the wrong reasons. This piece considers the events that define this sacred week from a number of angles and concludes by a focus on the leadership of the day that was called upon to decide the fate of Jesus.
A grand welcome
Two days ago, we commemorated Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem as the crowds shouted "Hosanna" and welcomed him into the city. On Palm Sunday 2016, we continued the annual tradition and filled our places of worship with palms to remember the gesture of many several years ago. The scriptures record that the disciples had been sent ahead to get the colt that had never been ridden before as the vessel to be used for a special task and the fulfillment of prophecy. We must not forget the exceptional courage displayed by Jesus in going to Jerusalem in the first instance with the knowledge that he was not a welcome guest of the religious establishment. Nevertheless, he set his eyes on Jerusalem, knowing that he came to die and his destiny beckoned unto him.
In the Bahamian context, we ought to remember that the inexperienced vessel was not discounted from consideration based on its youth or untested status. In fact, the request was specific and deliberate as Jesus seemed to have had interest in the innocence, undefiled quality and strength of a vessel that had not been corrupted by the establishment. The fanfare of the "Triumphant Entry" is well documented in the gospels and there is no doubt that the celebration was grand. This is relevant to our country today in that when we support individuals, it is often with passion and much pageantry as shown during political rallies and election victory celebrations.
Crucifixion and the cost of fulfilling purpose
A famous hymn in the Anglican Communion begins with the following words "When I survey the wondrous cross". That same hymn includes the following words "see from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown..." The lyrics in general attempt to paint the picture of the crucifixion and are often sung with sobriety and much humility. In our minds, we know that the humiliation and agony of the crucifixion was the price Jesus paid in fulfilling his ultimate purpose. How can there be a crown without a preceding cross?
On the road to victory and glory are many crosses that must be carried; indeed Calvary is inevitable on the path to success. How then do we as a nation and as individual citizens expect an easy road without any challenges to the achievement of our goals and objectives? Holy Week is a stark reminder of the many rivers we must cross and the adversities we have to overcome to reach our destiny.
The burden of leadership
The crowds that followed Jesus as he performed many miracles, fed their spirits and entered into Jerusalem on a colt disappeared at his most vulnerable hour. They were replaced by multitudes that mocked, ridiculed and spat at him as he made his trip to the cross. He carried his own cross (save for a stranger who helped at some point) after being betrayed by one of his disciples, denied by one of his closest allies and deserted by the rest of his inner caucus. In his moment of weakness, he bore the burden of his assignment alone and in isolation from those for whom he gave much.
It is baffling that some leaders in 21st century Bahamas believe that they are exempt from having a similar experience. They seem to think that they can rely on their followers, loyalists or colleagues in defining moments in the valleys of life. The events of Holy Week should provide much insight to us that the uniqueness of our purpose is even more pronounced when we are called upon to lead. Leadership is not for the weak and is not for those who require the love of everyone in order to perform at their full potential. Those who are called to lead must be able to walk alone, but this will only be worthwhile if the walk is based on righteousness, truth and justice.
Abdication of duty
It is important to note that as he made the trips from judgment hall to judgment hall, the reluctance of persons in authority to lead and stand up for righteousness became quite apparent. In the presence of the Sanhedrin Council, the testimonies of witnesses, despite being of the same nationality as Jesus, did not add up but they still wouldn't set him free. Pontius Pilate found no fault in him but referred him to King Herod.
Herod mocked him and without making a ruling on the case brought against Jesus, sent him back to Pilate. Pilate sought to set him free and offered the choice of a notorious thief called Barabbas. Alas, the pressure of pleasing the crowd overwhelmed the silent cry for justice and doing the right thing. All the leaders appeared to have been more concerned about popularity among a certain section of the population, self-preservation and retaining power more than heeding the important task of making the best decisions based on the facts before them rather than emotionalism or political patronage.
Pope Francis in his Palm Sunday message deviated from his text to address an issue that has come to attract much attention in Europe - the issue of immigration. His Holiness drew a parallel between the posture taken by certain European countries and the role of leaders in the days of Jesus. "Jesus was denied every justice... Jesus also suffered on his own skin indifference, because no one wanted to take on the responsibility for his destiny", Pope Francis lamented. While the Pope's commentary focused on immigration, the question is what pivotal issues are our own leaders ignoring or washing their hands in relation to? Who and what is driving the decisions or indecisions of our political, religious, corporate, civic and community leaders in The Bahamas?
Hope for resurrection
The first day of the spring season was March 19, 2016 and as Christina Rossetti put it "spring is when life's alive in everything". The season of spring is often connected to a time of renaissance, rebirth or reawakening, and this is often visible as we behold nature at its finest. The fields and gardens often bear witness that change is on the horizon, and we see the plants come alive before our very eyes. God knows that we need the hope and promise of this season to saturate our Bahamaland.
As Pilate prepared to release Jesus to the crowd that consisted of a cross section of people with different interests, he washed his hands as a sign even as he declared that Jesus' blood was not on his hands. This gesture was however not sufficient to erase the reality that Pilate, Herod and the Sanhedrin Council were complicit in the execution of an innocent man. Additionally, the many people that stood by and said or did nothing in protest of the evil being perpetrated were just as guilty. After all as the saying goes "evil prospers when good men and women say nothing".
In spite of the injustice and failures of leaders in the crucifixion story, we celebrate this week and Easter because we know that what the devil meant for evil was God's plan for our redemption. We are comforted knowing that the story did not end at Calvary for indeed three days later he arose from the dead. In this sense, the darkest of nights gave way to a glorious morning and this is the hope that sustains us. Happy Holy Week!
o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.
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