As Easter, Resurrection Day, 2021 arrives, some made sure Holy Week had special meaning, especially for students. This is the unusual and highly-significant event that took place at Ohio's Cedarville University.
At 2:50 p.m. university operations ceased as the campus community encircled Cedar Lake for “Tetelestai: It Is Finished,” a somber time of reflection to remember the moment that Jesus died. At 3 p.m., the bells in the Dixon Ministry Center chimed 33 times to mark the 33 years of Jesus’ life.
Tetelestai. Pronounced tuh-tel-uh-sty, this Greek word is one of the most important in the history of Christendom. Translated in English, “It is finished,” this phrase marks the final statement from Jesus before he breathed his last breath on the cross as recorded in John 19:30. And this year, Cedarville University marked this most somber and significant event with an immersive indoor and outdoor experience on Good Friday, April 2.
“Seven: a good friday experience” was a unique audio-visual event exploring seven facets of the sufferings of Jesus. The first experience was offered for students, faculty, and staff at 10 a.m. on April 2 in the Dixon Ministry Center’s Jeremiah Chapel. The same visual program was repeated at 11 a.m., noon, 1, and 2 p.m. for the general public. COVID protocols were observed.
For those who were not able to join in person, the 10 a.m. service will be available via livestream at cedarville.edu/GoodFriday.
The exegetical artwork of 2009 Cedarville alumnus Christopher Powers, pastor of Community Christian Church in Sabina, Ohio, provided the visual presentation of the events of Jesus’ crucifixion. Visit fullofeyes.com to learn more.
At 2:50 p.m. university operations ceased as the campus community encircled Cedar Lake for “Tetelestai: It Is Finished,” a somber time of reflection to remember the moment that Jesus died. At 3 p.m., the bells in the Dixon Ministry Center chimed 33 times to mark the 33 years of Jesus’ life.
“When you think about the uniqueness of Cedarville, it makes sense to make this a significant moment in our campus life,” noted Dr. Tom Hutchison, professor of educational ministries and applied theology, who is serving on the Good Friday committee. “During a normal school year, our students would have this day as a holiday. This year, we have an opportunity to gather as believers to worship and remember together this special moment in our faith.”
It was Hutchison who suggested ringing the bells 33 times at 3 p.m. This audible reminder of the moment of death harkens back to an earlier time in American history when small towns and villages would sound bells to communicate important events, including the death of a member of the community. This included a chime for each year of the person’s life, which would cause adults and children alike to pause so they might know who had passed.
“It is right for us to pause, reflect and remind ourselves of the significance of Christ’s death, the game-changer for all of history,” Hutchison added. “We want to remember in a way, without sounding trite, that will continue ringing in our ears, reminding us why we’re here.”
Dr. Chris Miller, senior professor of biblical studies and member of the Good Friday committee, created an extensive timeline of the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. His work will be offered as a guidebook to participants in the Good Friday experience.
“We wanted this to be an experience that will move people and also inform them,” Miller said. “We wanted to put out this carefully detailed outline of all that is happening between Thursday evening and Friday afternoon – the prayer and betrayal in Gethsemane, the desertion by the disciples, the three hearings with the Jewish leaders, the three Roman trials, all of the intrigue around all that.”
“Good Friday is when the atonement happens, and we want to do it justice,” he added. “We want to make this a memorable and teachable moment that will give students and the Cedarville family something deeply valuable that they can treasure and remember to make the atonement more of the focal point of all our lives.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,550 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Master of Divinity program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.