KEEPING THE FAITH | During Holy Week, we remember the Passion of Christ

The Passion narrative covers the last week of Christ’s life here on Earth. The gospel writers wrote of the events of the last week in a chronicle fashion, almost bare of any theological interpretation. We see Jesus suffering as no human being should have to, much less the sinless Messiah.

Strictly speaking, the Passion Week begins with Palm Sunday; with the triumphal entry of Jesus into the gates of Jerusalem, and extends to Saturday, when He laid in the tomb.

During the last week of Jesus’ life, opposition intensified to the point where religious leaders were plotting his death. Judas decided to betray Jesus by cooperating with them. During the institution of the Last Supper, Jesus noted that one among them would betray Him.

After the Last Supper and before His arrest, Jesus took Peter, James and John deeper into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus was in intense agony knowing what would soon happen, yet the three tired disciples could not support Him enough to remain awake.

Although He hoped the crucifixion and all its sorrow could be avoided, Jesus prayed to God, His Father, for His will to be accomplished. As Jesus’ disciples were about to leave the garden, Judas arrived with a large, armed crowd and betrayed Jesus with the kiss.

Jesus was brought before the religious leaders for an unjust trial. Numerous lying witnesses spoke against Jesus. Their stories did not agree, but it mattered very little. However, when Jesus admitted to being the Messiah, He was brought before Pontius Pilate. Pilate asked the crowd what to do with Jesus and they answered, “Crucify Him!”

He would be forced to carry His cross through an angry mob, assisted at one point by Simon the Cyrene after stumbling. Yet Jesus shared in John 10:18: “No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

While mounted upon the cross between two convicted thieves, Jesus preached seven powerful concise messages in His dying moments. Final words spoken by a person have always been important. In most cases, we will remember them above all a person says during the course of their whole life.

The seven sayings of Christ are full of significance. Mind you, Christ did not give a long sermon, but seven short sayings. It was very painful to breathe, let alone speak. He paid a hefty price to utter each word. Each word is a deliberate choice. The numeral 7 is considered the representation of spiritual completion.

The seven sayings

1. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
2. Assuredly, I say to you, today, you will be with Me in paradise.
3. Woman, behold your son ... behold your mother.
4. My God, my God why have you forsaken me?
5. I thirst.
6. It is finished.
7. Into your hands I commit my spirit.

Rest assured, this is not the end but actually the beginning of the plan. It was a dark time for humanity, as even the sun bowed to the Sonship of Christ! The greatest love in history continues to offer a message of hope, forgiveness and deliverance. I love the message Vicki Winans shares in her tribute, “Oh What Love.”

It’s marvelous in His sight

Congratulations to Elder Emmitt Nevels Jr. and First Lady Kacie Nevels as the newly installed pastoral family of the historic Cathedral Church of God in Christ in Cleveland. The formal installation was conducted by his father, Bishop Emmitt Nevels Sr.

Best wishes to Elder Aruthenia Simmons who has been installed as the pastor of Elim Christian Center, 3214 Ridge Road, Warren. The ordination and installation service was officiated by Bishop Troy Anthony Bronner of Buffalo, New York.

What’s on your mind?

The Ohio Council of Churches will present mental health experts Carlos and Seneca Bing for a discussion regarding mental health on Monday, April 10, at 3:30 p.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live. Advance registration is required. Click here to register.

Ribbon-cutting

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation invites you to participate in the ribbon-cutting for the Glenwood Fresh Market, 2915 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown, on Tuesday, April 12, at 9 a.m. The Glenwood Fresh Market is a new facility that will be open year-round for members to access free, high quality fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy food items. All residents who are low-income and predisposed to illnesses linked to diet, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and other related conditions are eligible to become members.

Celebrate the King

The Youngstown Community Fellowship Choir, under the direction of Minister Jay Simon, presents a praise and worship experience on Sunday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 1210 Himrod Ave., to celebrate the risen King on Easter.

A faith community resource

Ohio Homeland Security has partnered with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to share a virtual event, “Protecting Faith-Based Communities -Cybersecurity & Physical Security.”

It will be a virtual webinar on Thursday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Faith-based partners and other supporting partners throughout the state of Ohio are encouraged to attend. Topics will include cybersecurity and physical security considerations for faith-based communities. Click here to register. A link to join the webinar will be shared via email 48 hours prior to the event. You can contact jlcameron@dps.ohio.gov for more information.

Scholarship opportunities

The Junior Civic League of Youngstown is seeking candidates for its scholarship program. It is open to graduating seniors from schools in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. You can obtain the applications via the organization’s website, which includes links to the scholarships. You can also visit the League’s monitored Facebook page. The deadline has been extended to April 22. Lynette Brown, the City of Youngstown first lady, is chairwoman of the League’s scholarship committee.

I strongly encourage parents of graduating seniors to have them apply for these scholarship opportunities! As a 1984 JCL scholarship recipient, it afforded me the opportunity to graduate from Youngstown State University debt-free. The investment and mentorship of these ambitious women remain in my life to this very day. My own experience has taught me our children assume we will underwrite these expenses. Thus it is in the best interest of parents to hold the child accountable for completion.

Coming home

The incomparable Rosetta Perry, a Youngstown native, is set to return home on Sunday, May 1 at 4 p.m. for the release of her publication “The Journey” and her music release. A psalmist, Rosetta has also garnered a national following with her comic stage performances. The reading and song segment will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Fairview Arts and Outreach Center, 4220 Youngstown-Poland Road, Youngstown.

A concert of hope

The Community Concert Series at Boardman United Methodist Church, 6809 Market St., is excited to present the Youngstown Hymn Sing on May 1 at 6 p.m.

The festival chorus is composed of local church choirs from Boardman United Methodist Church, Canfield Presbyterian Church, Grace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph Parish, St. Patrick Parish and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Additionally, the Youngstown Cantorum will present John Rutter’s Requiem, under the direction of Dr. Hae-Jong Lee from Youngstown State University.

A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Youngstown Cantorum, which will perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in May.

‘Paul in Chains’

Rev. Duffy Roberts will perform a reenactment of “Paul in Chains: Philippians” on Sunday, May 15, at 10:30 a.m. at McKinley Community Church, 1524 Elm Road NE, Warren.

Rev. Roberts helps bring life to scriptures with his live presentations of the life of Paul. He is also offering the apostle’s inspired letters in video format. These videos do not replace in-depth Bible reading and study, but they can add texture and human depth to a small group Bible discussion or to a private devotional time.

They add personality and emotional context to what could otherwise become a purely academic or intellectual conversation.

Blessing God’s essential workers

Here’s a long-overdue expression of appreciation to the essential church workers and leaders who have been diligently working to keep ministry relevant and thriving during this pandemic: God will not forget your labor of love!

You are NOT alone

I share this message often, as many struggle with the matters of life. If you feel overwhelmed by circumstances, please realize there are many who are concerned about you. Please don’t make a permanent decision for a temporary situation. You will overcome if you can endure the moment.

Please keep these numbers for local suicide hotlines handy and share them if they may be of benefit to you or a loved one:

• Mahoning and Trumbull counties: 330-747-2696
• Columbiana County: 330-424-7767
• East Palestine, Beloit, Sebring and Western Columbiana County: 800-427-3606
• Ashtabula County: 800-577-7849

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

Callers can also call 211 and be connected to Help Network of Northeast Ohio

You can also use the Crisis Text Line and text “HELLO” to 741741

All calls are confidential and hotlines are staffed 24 hours.

I am sharing some behaviors, warnings or signs that someone may be possibly thinking about suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die, expressing great guilt, shame or remorse or being a burden to others;
• Feelings such as emptiness, hopeless, being trapped or having no reason to live; extreme sadness, increased anxiety, agitation, or being full of rage; or unbearable emotional or physical pain;
• Changing behavior, such as: Making a plan or researching ways to die, withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items or making a will; taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast; displaying extreme mood swings; eating or sleeping more or less and/or using drugs or alcohol more often.

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.

If you are concerned, reach out to them. Ask them the tough question and direct them to professionals who can assist.

Palm Sunday prayer

Lord God, we give You thanks, for You are good and Your mercy is endless. Here we stand at the threshold of this Holy Week, during which we recall Jesus’ passion and death. As we are easily distracted by many things, turn our eyes now to the One who comes in Your name. The One who opens the gates of righteousness, The One who answers when we call. We bless you, Lord, for shining Your light upon us, and for sending Your Son to us, in human frailty, to walk the road we walk. Open our eyes, that we may see Him coming as we continue to keep the faith. Amen.

— The Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II serves as the lead pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, chaplain for the Youngstown Police Department, president of the Baptist Pastors Council and the local coordinator for the African American Male Wellness Walk of the Mahoning Valley. He resides in Youngstown with Dorothy, his partner in marriage and ministry. They share the love and joy of six children and eight grandchildren and their mischievous canine, Sir Winston.

— All biblical citations are New Living Translation unless noted otherwise.