The Holy Week is definitely one of the most awaited holidays in the country. For many, this holiday, locally known as Semana Santa, is the only time when Filipinos can take some time off from work to relax and spend time with the whole family. Some families go on beach outings or mountain hikes. However, for more than half of the Filipino population, Semana Santa is a time when they can lessen their sins by making sacrifices like flogging and crucifixion, and visiting as many churches and shrines as they can. But do all these acts really make a difference?
To answer that question, we would have to go back to the power of the cross. Interestingly, when we visit churches all across the country, we see two kinds of crosses - one with Jesus Christ still on it, while the other one empty. It can be quite confusing for a normal church-goer but which one depicts the cross of the Bible?
If we look at the Bible’s account of Christ’s suffering on the cross, we will see that after he was crucified, he was buried, which means that He did not stay crucified on the cross. But amazingly, he did not stay in the tomb, too. After three days, the rock that sealed His tomb was open and Christ was nowhere to be found inside it. The impossible has happened. Christ has risen from the dead.
The cross is God’s wisdom for our salvation. No amount of sacrifice on our part can do that. Only Christ’s sacrifice on the cross can save us from our sins. On the other hand, the empty tomb tells us that in God there is victory. The empty cross and the empty tomb remind us that God’s power is at work in the lives of those who believe in Him. All we have to do is put our trust in Him.