As Christians in Nigeria joined their counterparts the world over to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, on a day that has come to be known ironically as Good Friday, on account of the salvation won for mankind by this otherwise tragic event, the central message should not be lost on Nigerian leaders: sacrifice makes leadership. Jesus Christ spoke truth to power and paid the supreme price. He died a vicarious death to take away the sins of humanity and open the way to eternal life for all who believe in Him and in His message.
The conflicts that led to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday centered on the radical religious and social paradigm that Christ the Savior introduced and preached to the world. The truth he taught was, of course, too bitter for his opponents to swallow and so they had to silence him. Yet, even as he was being nailed to the cross, the power of his message was already immortal. As the world celebrates that event today, the message of joy and peace remains the hope of the world.
Jesus’ crucifixion was the climax of a short but remarkable life of commitment to love, truth, justice, humility, mercy, compassion, purity, peace and non-violence. In the course of passionately preaching and living out the truth as he knew it, condemning the injustices of the day, and promoting a religion that emphasizes the spirit rather than the letter of the law, Jesus came in regular conflict with the status quo and those who benefited from it.
He was betrayed by his own disciple, Judas Iscariot, denied by his closest associate, Simon Peter; handed over to the Roman authorities by the chief priests of his religion and condemned to death by Pontius Pilate the Governor. Death by crucifixion was the greatest symbol of the rejection of Jesus Christ and everything he stood for by the religious and political authorities of the day. And to highlight this point even more poignantly, the crucifixion took place outside the walls of the city of Jerusalem!
Beyond the drama of re-enacting the crucifixion and other acts symbolizing the life of Jesus Christ, Good Friday is significant as a day of meditation, not only for Christians, but for men and women of all ages everywhere. The sacrifice, which Good Friday represents, questions the widespread corruption, greed and selfishness that define the present day socio-political and economic situation in Nigeria. The instant gratification mentality that pervades the Nigerian society especially contrasts sharply with the sacrifice and selflessness which Good Friday symbolizes.
The propensity for seeking success and prosperity while rejecting the pains and sacrifices that must be endured beforehand, contradicts the very essence of Good Friday. The disposition towards crass materialism, excessive wealth accumulation and blind pursuit of pleasure is clearly at variance with the spirit of Good Friday. On the whole, the teachings of Jesus Christ, anchored on the dignity and inviolability of every human person, humility and service in leadership would seem to be lost, especially in Nigeria, where the forces of greed and corruption continue to thrive.
Yet, the example of Jesus Christ is what Nigerian leaders should follow. These are difficult times for Nigeria as the nation’s politicians and leaders burn the midnight oil, plotting not how to serve but how to get in on the looting game. Events in the political arena already portend crises as the change-promising APC administration seems at a loss for solutions to the life and death challenges facing the nation. As if that was not enough, the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgency and other insurgents now springing up across the country, point to a nation in critical need of rescue.
There is need for sober reflection on the moral imperatives of the political and economic choices before the nation. The values for which Christ died on Good Friday – peace, love, truth, justice, humility, service, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, remain elusive as Nigerians struggle for the soul of the nation. Incumbent and aspiring Nigerian leaders must abandon the path of selfishness, greed and inordinate ambition for power if the country would prosper. Christians and non-Christians alike must embrace the higher value of sacrificial leadership that make for lasting peace and prosperity.
Nigerians can learn a lot from the spectacular life and the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the greatest lessons he taught are the practical lessons of his own life. He taught his followers that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends, and that is exactly what he did. He taught his followers that those who seek to be first must make themselves last and servant of all; and that is what he did when he washed the feet of his disciples and accepted a humiliating death in order that they may live. Though as Son of God he was rich beyond measure, he made a preferential option for the poor, whose circumstances he graciously shared. His life was consistent with his message.
These are powerful lessons, which Nigerian leaders need to imbibe. Our experience of leadership has often been one characterized by primitive greed rather than service and self-sacrifice. Far from denying themselves that their people may have the good life, Nigerian leaders have often stolen food off the hands of their starving poor. Overwhelmed by the blind lust for power, and the desire to acquire power for its own sake, Nigerian leaders have manipulated, oppressed and abused their people. The conduct of our political elite in and out of government is often a marked departure, indeed an affront on the model of leadership and service demonstrated by Jesus Christ.
Good Friday therefore challenges Nigerian leaders of all creeds and in all spheres of our national life, to abandon the paths of selfishness and greed, and the inordinate ambition for power at whatever cost, which have been the bane of our society. With Jesus’ commitment to a life of love, humility, service and sacrifice eventually vindicated by the event of the Resurrection, Good Friday challenges Nigerian leaders to embrace those higher values exemplified in Jesus Christ that make for lasting peace and happiness.
