Reflections

Good Friday Reflections

By Amos Ang

To the casual observer, we could have just witnessed one of the great performances in Singapore’s concert calendar for the year. I remember that in the days prior, the phone was buzzing with group chats stirring: “Hundreds have registered!”, “More to show up, better arrive earlier!” The anticipation and enthusiasm for the Eras tour was well documented, but better yet, this clamouring was for a 1-night only marquee event to celebrate the man whose sacrifice in one era changed the course of history and the ages to come. That night of 29 Mar 2024, the family of 1000+ strong came to commemorate Jesus’ death and crucifixion, the necessary step in our salvation and reconciliation with God. We celebrated that in the light of eternity, that day of brutality can now be counted by us as ‘Good’.

While born and raised in a BP church, this was my first experience in a combined BPCIS service. Spanning 11 churches, with congregants sprawled across the hall and into the overflow gallery, we were united in our common worship to God, an experience one might allude to as a foretaste of the endless chorus of praise we shall bless the Lord with, when we are united with the Father in heaven. Compared to a weekly Sunday service, the combined worship experience could be described as transcendent.

And yet, the atmosphere was not engineered to intentionally stir the outcry of emotions. Light switches remained dialled at full brightness, infants’ sleep resonated with the gentle instrument melodies, and projected slides kept faith with BP ministers’ stylistic preference of ‘sola textura’ (not a real phrase) – with text alone.

There was no conceivable physical precondition to inspire the depth of praise we experienced that evening – voices drowning out the AV, spontaneous lifting of hands in adoration, and the visible delight on each face for simply being. In BP tradition, we kept to biblically sound and timeless classics such as “And can it be?”, and “The servant King” - lyrical truths describing the depths of Jesus’ suffering, taking on the penalty of sin that we might live eternally with God. These songs are etched in our musical repertoire, with the gravity of truth in each stanza internalised, sung in the midst of the multitude of believing brethren, giving collective praise, thanksgiving, and adoration to our Heavenly Father.

I consider worship to be an interaction that is by God, to God, and with God. Through Jesus, all believers have access in one Spirit to the Father. I view that the Spirit opens our eyes to see our sin, causes our hearts to trust in salvation by Jesus for complete forgiveness, and affirms to us our identity as children of God who understand the things freely given us by God. I attribute the transcendence experienced to the Spirit’s stirring of the body of Christ in this glorifying act of worship.

Still, our worship was out on display even before the 5pm bell and after the benediction. In the support provided to the immobile, allowing people in need to access food first, provision of hospitality to strangers outside of usual circle, this in-exhaustive list resembles acts of grace done in the name of the Lord.

Despite hailing from different churches, we are all part of the universal Church where Christ in the ultimate head. While it may be impractical for the 11 congregations to meet frequently, we remain comforted that we belong to a body united in the same faith, under the ambit of common denominational leanings, and we can mutually encourage one another through fellowship and prayer. All praise to the glory of God.

Until we meet again, brethren (Hopefully before Good Friday 2025).

_____________

Amos Ang is an earthly vessel who hopes God uses and does not pass by. He has had the privilege of serving the church in aspects of Christian education, Koinonia groups and the Worship service. He is blessed to be married with a child (TBD by God on the eventual family unit size).

*Note: After the service there was warm and fulfilling fellowship over a porridge dinner where different members of churches mingled, caught up with old friends and made new ones. See the photo gallery.