Approximately 45 people attended this Passion Week’s Saturday evening service conducted by Heflin Jani.

Once again today upholding the previous records of leading the congregation in worship, the GCFUK choir brought praises before God in their exuberant voices and skilled handiwork on the various musical instruments.

Later, Davidson Solanki once again being led by the Holy Spirit brought a message from John 19:38-42 and Philippians 2:1-11 - focusing on Jesus’ encounters with three characters that made their presence felt around Jesus’ physical life and even after his death on the cross – these were 1.the ‘sinful woman’ believed to be Mary - sister of Martha and Lazarus who poured an expensive pure nard perfume from alabaster jar at Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her untied hair 2. father of Rufus- Simon of Cyrene - who was made to carry the cross of Jesus when Jesus struggled to carry it on His way to Golgotha-the crucifixion site and the third was Joseph of Arimathaea-who was a secret disciple of Jesus, who had claimed Jesus’ body from Pilate and buried it in a grave where no one else was buried before.

Regards the very act of this devotion of Mary-the sister of Martha and Lazarus three characteristics are drawn - the first, this woman did not care for the cost of the perfume i.e. she chose to indulge in expensive, extravagant and pocket hurting devotion i.e. loving till it hurts!! Second, this devotion was out of innocent compassionate love, and the third was her devotion was very open and careless, seemingly out of an attitude where she didn’t care how or what others would think about her very act. Jesus termed this act of devotion as the preparation of his burial.

Concerning, the second person Simon of Cyrene, he appears on the scene when Jesus is walking with His cross through the lanes of Jerusalem on his way to Golgotha. Seeing Jesus struggling hard to carry His cross the Roman soldiers order Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross for Jesus till Golgotha. The thing to consider here about Simon of Cyrene is that he was the only human left to side with Jesus when all His disciples had abandoned Him to drudge His burden by Himself in His very last moments before being crucified.

The third person concerned here is Joseph of Arimathaea who was a prominent member of the Council/Sanhedrin, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate claimed Jesus' body, and later with the help of Nicodemus buried Him in a garden tomb where no one else was laid before. Things to consider about Joseph of Arimathaea is that after much hiding and previously not letting anyone know that he was a follower of Jesus he finally breaks silence, chooses to come out boldly and give a decent Jewish burial when none of Jesus’ disciples were found near Him and when He needed them the most.

Drawing a sense of courage and motivation these characters compel us to examine closely the depth and genuineness of our love for Jesus posing questions - are we still feeling shameful or awkward to confess Him as our Saviour in the world where live in, and are we willing to take on public shame and ridicule for His sake in these desperate days!

Indeed another moving message challenging us to act on what we say we believe and translating our words to actions. The final benediction was proclaimed, marking the end of a very inspiring worship meeting.