In his Good Friday sermon, Doyt reflects on the courage of Jesus Christ as revealed in Isaiah’s Fourth Servant Song, describing it as a love-driven bravery that transforms suffering into redemption. He emphasizes that Jesus’ journey to the cross is not an act of weakness or resignation but a bold, divine decision to face pain and injustice with unyielding love. Doyt highlights how Jesus, despised and humiliated, does not flee from the cross but walks toward it, carrying the weight of the world’s sins with moral courage that comes from the heart of God. He reminds us that the cross is not only a symbol of suffering but also a call to follow—a beacon of love stronger than fear, violence, or even death itself.
Doyt also shares the stories of martyrs like Wang Zhiming and Archbishop Janani Luwum, who, like Jesus, chose the path of courage over fear, standing firm in their faith despite facing oppression and death. He connects their stories to the call for each of us to live courageously, loving when it costs us, forgiving when it’s hard, and holding onto faith when fear tempts us to give up. Doyt reminds us that this courage is not something we create ourselves but a gift from God, rooted in the love poured out on the cross. As he urges us to kneel before the cross, he asks us to consider what fears love must overcome in our lives and what crosses we are called to carry, always remembering the unshakable love of Jesus Christ, nailed to the wood for us all.
Reflection Questions for this Week:
- Doyt describes the cross as a symbol of courage rooted in love. How does Jesus’ example on Good Friday challenge the way we think about courage in our own lives?
- Reflecting on the stories of Wang Zhiming and Janani Luwum, what does their courage and faith teach us about standing firm in the face of fear, injustice, or suffering?
- Doyt asks, “What courage is Christ calling me into?” How might God be calling you to act with courage in your own life, even if it feels costly or difficult?