“Jesus Paid a Heavy Price for Our Salvation,” Bishop Mtumbuka
By Paul Mwandira and Maureen Soko
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese has urged Christians to be mindful of the heavy price Jesus paid for the salvation of the world, saying his suffering is incomparable to any debt in the world.
Bishop Mtumbuka said this in on Good Friday in Chitipa when he led over thousands of Christians of St Michael’s Parish in a 4 kilometer long Way of the Cross from St Kizito Conference Centre to the parish centre.
During the Way of the Cross, Christians relive the passion of Jesus Christ from his condemnation to death by Roman Governor of Palestine, Pontius Pilate, to his crucifixion, death on the cross and burial.
In his sermon, Bishop Mtumbuka exhorted Christians to guard themselves against greed for money. He called on people who get rich through corrupt means to learn from Judas Iscariot that there is no better end. For love of money, Judas Iscariot who sold Jesus Christ and later killed himself.
Furthermore, the Bishop reminded the Christians that there is no one who could have done what Jesus did. To be a Christian one needs to have a strong faith in Christ.
“Christians should know that they are not mere people; Jesus bought them by His blood.” said the Bishop.
“I want to assure you that Jesus gave his life to save us. When you receive the sacrament of Baptism, or partake His body in the Eucharist, always remember that we were bought at a very high price. This is why the saints sacrificed their lives. They did not wish to deny Him because they knew that Jesus bought them by His blood,” said Bishop Mtumbuka.
However, the Bishop said it is impossible for people to do what Jesus did for us but the least Christians can do is to fill their hearts with gratitude to Jesus and try to imitate his life.
Good Friday is the day Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross and died for the sins of the world. During the Way of the Cross, the youth of St Michael’s Parish dramatized the passion of Christ on each of the fourteen stations. The Bishop thanked the youth for their commitment to Church activities.