MORE THAN 100 people from churches across Redditch journeyed through the town yesterday on Good Friday alongside a cross.
The annual Walk of Witness began at the bandstand and travelled to HOW college, the Town Hall and through the Kingfisher Centre. On its journey, the group prayed for the town, its people and the challenges they face.
As they undertook the annual event, some knew exactly why they were doing this, others more bemused. One fascinating moment was, having sung a song of worship in Milward Square – those following the cross continued to sing the chorus as they travelled. The words included: ‘O praise the name of the Lord our God’.
Rev Canon Paul Lawlor, Redditch Mission Area Leader and Area Dean for Redditch and Bromsgrove, said: “The events of that first Good Friday are tough to engage with.
“The Christmas narrative is somehow easier for us. It is Good News but Good Friday?
“On Good Friday we pause at the point of Jesus’ execution, His own people having turned against Him. We need to look to the events of Easter Day and beyond to see that this was not a defeat but a victory. A victory not over Roman oppressors but over death.
“I suspect that for many the question remains, what has any of this got to do with the challenges we face in our lives today? Is there any point in Christians walking through the town with a cross?
“I would suggest there is more point today than ever. I believe Jesus died for us all. He died that we might all have access to an eternal future.
“I also, believe this is not just a thing for tomorrow, it not just a comfort blanket for when we approach death. The Jesus event shows us that God in willing to be with us in the turmoil of our lives as well as in our eternal future.
“If we can focus on God’s justice, God’s love, compassion and mercy we will not simply stand by as bad things happen in our world.
“We will have the strength to stand up to oppression, injustice and pain. These things may not go away but together we can stand against them and work and pray for change.
“As I say the Easter story, the Jesus event is not all soft and fluffy, it is not all about the Easter Bunny but it is all about new life.
“New Life is Jesus.
“Happy Easter.”
