Greensburg man who portrays Jesus Christ in ‘Way of the Cross’ reflects on 2 decades of the drama

Much more than two a long time in the past, a Greensburg pastor requested Rick Zabrosky if he’d participate in the city’s Passion of Christ drama that had taken place for numerous a long time.

Zabrosky agreed to a tiny role: Barabbas, the murderer whom the group requested Pontius Pilate to cost-free as a substitute of Jesus Christ.

The following calendar year, the pastor questioned Zabrosky if he’d return to the drama — but this time actively playing Jesus.

In Zabrosky’s text, “You cannot say no to a minister.”

The 56-12 months-old Greensburg resident has portrayed Christ in the “Way of the Cross” drama at any time given that.

Virtually each individual Fantastic Friday for far more than 20 yrs, nearby church customers stroll as a result of the streets of downtown Greensburg to reenact the situations main up the Jesus’ sacrificial loss of life on the cross.

The drama returned to the city on Excellent Friday immediately after a two-calendar year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Zabrosky, who experienced no prior acting expertise, described it as a “humbling” knowledge to portray the Son of God. He believes no a person is capable to fill the Lord’s footwear when acting in a Passion drama.

Even so, the energy investing firm analyst stated he does his best to clearly show Jesus’ humility, bodily exhaustion and love as he carries a cross as a result of the metropolis streets with actors portraying Roman guards pushing and kicking him.

“I do not consider I can at any time measure up to what I need to have to do (during the drama),” Zabrosky explained. “I consider to do my pretty ideal and I try to get improved at it just about every 12 months. … I do really talk to (Jesus) to support with the total scenario, and He seriously does.”

Zabrosky has designed plenty of reminiscences by means of his involvement in the drama. His relatives has been “deeply involved” with the celebration for a long time. This was the very first yr when none of his sons participated as actors.

In addition, Zabrosky claimed he has achieved “great people” — both of those actors and spectators — by means of his involvement.

One particular yr, a mother advised Zabrosky she prayed that God would display her a way to educate her young children about Jesus’ loss of life and resurrection. Later that Great Friday, the lady took place to be touring through Greensburg with her young children when they stumbled on the scene.

“It’s so great for the local community. It truly is,” Zabrosky mentioned. “Every time it is about, another person comes over to us and suggests, ‘Wow, that wasn’t what I was anticipating it to be.’ … It truly has been a blessing.”

The drama is centered on the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry, loss of life and resurrection, which can be discovered in the Bible’s New Testomony publications of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Greensburg reenactment hasn’t altered significantly around the decades, with the only important change getting the actors who portray biblical figures this kind of as Pilate, Mary, female followers of Jesus and high priests.

Sue Amatangelo — who has been involved in the celebration since its beginning and has played Mary, the mother of Christ, for the previous 8 yrs — explained Zabrosky as “excellent” at his part.

Each and every time Amatangelo and Zabrosky choose the phase, she claimed, she is filled with emotion and cries.

“It’s divine intervention,” Amatangelo reported. “It’s fulfilling.”

Zabrosky’s time portraying Jesus could appear to an conclude before long. While he said he will portray the Lord “as prolonged as they want him to, or as extensive as they require him,” the 56-year-outdated thinks a young man or woman must participate in the part in the next several years.

Numerous historians think Jesus was about 33 a long time outdated at the time of his crucifixion, indicating Zabrosky was nearer to Christ’s age when he started the purpose around two a long time ago.

“I love and enjoy doing the portion,” he reported. “But it is most likely time for me to hand the reins above to a person youthful and maintain this going for the following 20 years.”

Zabrosky thinks the drama gives “hope and light” to the Greensburg community. He is grateful that the actors, local church buildings, Westmoreland County Courthouse and Greensburg Police Office enable make the event a fact each and every year.

Eventually, he hopes it assists spectators reflect on Christ’s demise and resurrection during Easter weekend.

“You start off to think about what Jesus went by for us it’s wonderful,” Zabrosky claimed. “He did not have to do this for us, but He did because He loves us.”