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Today, as we enter Holy Week, the church asks us to contemplate the crucifixion of Jesus. We begin by reading the passion gospel in parts embodying the reality of it processing with palms, and by speaking the words of praise and condemnation.
Was it inevitable – even planned by God ahead? Some of our Scripture says so, but it was not prophesied as such. Isaiah said he was beaten and lashed.
Was the crucifixion the way God planned for this to play out? Was it God’ intention that Jesus be tortured and killed? Or was it our doing – the people’s doing?
One thing we know from the gospels is that Jesus had been predicting his death for a while. He kept telling his followers that he would die, much as MLK, Jr. said the same just before his assassination. When you are awake and conscious of the political and social pulse of your people, you can make some pretty accurate educated guesses about what will happen next.
So, how do you understand the crucifixion? This is the week to consider that.
I wouldn’t be so arrogant as to tell you how you should approach this or understand it. I only ask that you do. Come to the Good Friday service and spend some time in prayerful contemplation of this gospel.
I will say this about the crucifixion: if there is anything that demonstrates the unfailing mercy and compassion of God, it’s the crucifixion. God’s redeeming love never faltered even as we (the people) murdered God Incarnate. Instead, in God’s steadfast love for us even the crucifixion was redeemed bringing life from death…
Is there anything, then, that God’s love won’t redeem?
I close with this thought from Franciscan friar, Richard Rohr: “Jesus did not come to change God’s mind about us. It did not need changing. Jesus came to change our minds about God - and about ourselves - and about where goodness and evil really lie.” Amen.
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