“Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him” (RSV, John 19:1)

Christ “himself bore our sins … that we might die to sin and live to righteousness”.  “…by whose stripes ye were healed” (RSV and King James Bible, 1 Peter 2:24)

Although Our Blessed Lord’s earthly life lasted a little over 30 years and his ministry nearly three, only one day is described for us in detail – and that day was his last – from sunset on Maundy Thursday to sunset on Good Friday.  And the reason for this is that that day was the most significant of all, not only in Christ’s own life, but in the whole history of humankind; for in those 24 hours the eternal salvation of all humankind was made possible.

Our Blessed Lord is more than a Teacher whose precepts and example we may follow as and when we feel inclined.  He is our Saviour whom we can either accept and be eternally happy, or else reject and be for ever frustrated and discontented.

For in the end there are only two destinations presented to each human being: one is to live with God, beholding the splendour of his visible Presence and sharing in the joy of his very Being; the other is to be wholly separated from God, as unconscious of his infinite love and beauty and goodness as if he did not exist at all.