Jehovah’s Witnesses to mark Memorial of Christ today Tuesday 4 April
Jehovah’s Witnesses to mark Memorial of Christ today Tuesday 4 April
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the denomination that challenges many doctrines of mainstream Christians observes death by citing Bible.
In the process of most of the Christians observing Good Friday that marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus on April 5, Jehovah’s Witnesses will observe his death today Tuesday.
It is just the day when the million-strong Christian denomination worldwide observe as against other mainstream denominations who observe and celebrate Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter and Christmas.
Even as Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the resurrection of Christ, however, observe the Memorial of Christ as per the date of Jesus’ death.
According to Norman D’Souza, communications representative (region-west) of Jehovah’s Witnesses India, every year it cannot be a Friday. They do it according to Jewish Calendar that happens on the 14th of the full moon in the northern hemisphere.
Last year, the denomination commemorated the day on April 15. They gathered at the Kingdom Halls where a knowledgeable person spoke from the Bible why Jesus came to earth, sacrifices he underwent to leave heaven to come to earth, his sufferings while living as a lonely man, why he had to die, benefits of his sacrifice, among others.
As per Santosh Jaiswal, a member of the faith, who never misses the commemoration, attributed that they have the opportunity to reflect on what the creator (Jehovah) has done.
Amid the pandemic, doctors gave themselves to the profession. We regard them for what they did for the community. Jehovah gave his only begotten son for mankind. The commemoration is the opportunity to appreciate sacrifice. Jesus gave his life so our sins could be washed. The day helps me forgive others and be calm in life and at peace. It gives me inner happiness for being able to do something for the creator.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses began to challenge certain mainstream doctrines
Started as a movement in the late 1800s in a bid to challenge certain mainstream doctrines in the US, where it is headquartered, the Jehovah’s Witnesses arrived in India in the 1900s. The denomination prays only to Jehovah (God of the Bible and creator) and not Jesus or Mother Mary and does not even believe in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
Its present strength of followers in India is gauged to be around 60,000. Its members in Kerala had approached and got relief from the Supreme Court of India when some children stood for the National Anthem but did not sing it citing faith. Community members also refuse military service and blood transfusion on religious grounds. Members of the community are part of hospital liaison committees and work with doctors conversant with Jehovah’s Witnesses practice of non-blood therapeutic procedures.
No one from the community misses Memorial of Christ, says Audey Dias
Another member of the community, Audey Dias said, “Memorial of Christ is the only day that none of us misses. We go to any centre we can for the service. We observe only this day because we strictly follow what the Bible says. It is the only commemoration that the Bible mentions. The Bible does not mention Jesus’ birthday. This memorial reminds us that our creator has an interest in human kind and has not left us alone.”
Dias adding further stated that they pin hopes for the future. We are aware that the entire world is reelingfrom bad to worse. When we commemorate this day, we are reminded of God’s undeserved kindness and that we were all sinners and God took the initiative of sending the only begotten son as kindness and love. His son in turn offered his life as ‘ransom sacrifice’ for us. It is to remember Jesus and express our gratitude for him”..
There will be a time when God’s Kingdom will come on earth and start undoing all sufferings we face today.
News input KV Raman
