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A look at the appointed gospel from the Revised Common Lectionary for Palm/Passion Sunday, April 5, 2020.
“Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying,”He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!””
My Two Cents….
The turning of the crowd took a little prodding from the religious leaders; but not much. Days before, when Jesus rode into the Holy City, great expectations were in the air. The long-awaited Messiah entered Jerusalem with a flourish. Hosanna! Praise to God! God’s plan to purge the people’s land of the invading infidels was plain to see. It was just a matter of time before the Messiah would lead an uprising to drive the Romans out.
But then, Jesus didn’t behave. Somehow, he never got the script on how a Messiah should behave. Instead of rallying the people to revolt, Jesus turned over the tables of the Temple money changers. Jesus challenged the injustice within and sought to change the hearts and spirits of the people! This was not what they had in mind. They didn’t need someone to connect them with God. Who did he think he was? The Messiah? Pissah! Crucify!!
How quickly they moved from point A to B! Lest we point our fingers, blame, and condemn ‘those’ people, it would be good to take a step back. It is prudent to step back and look at our own expectations about God’s chosen Messiah. Palm/Passion Sunday invites us to make such a move.
This year, as we adjust to life during a pandemic, it is especially important to examine our thoughts about God, how God interacts with us, and where we might find the Christ. The coronavirus has shattered expectations of all sorts. Our need for social distance has canceled and postponed events from regular gatherings to lifetime milestones.
Spiritually, we might wonder - where is God in the midst of it all? As the death toll rises across the globe, people of faith might ask - where is God’s protection? Irresponsible theologians have even suggested that God is punishing the world - the outbreak is a sign of God’s wrath.
STOP! Breathe!
Take a moment as you allow the breath to fill your body to be still. It is time to center ourselves as beloved children of a God who promised always to be near; as close as our next breath.
Expectations. What are our expectations when it comes to God? Do we expect God to ride in on a warhorse and vanquish our enemies? That is what the faithful folks in Jerusalem were expecting. Do we expect God to keep evil at bay because we go to church or say our nightly prayers?
The passion story of Jesus points beyond transactional expectations of faith. It invites us to consider Christ as one who suffers alongside us from all the pain and isolation that this world offers. God is present in our struggles, including this pandemic, just as God was present with Jesus on the cross. Redemption is not transactional but rather relational. We are connected to God - by the grace of God- simply because God continues to love us.
Through God’s love, we find a presence that won’t quit. God remains with us. What is more, God abides with the whole human race. Across the globe, from China to Iran, from Tanzania to St. Paul - Christ can be found in every nation. Wherever love is shared and hearts turn to God, which is the source of all love, God is near.
This might exceed our expectations, especially if we are used to claiming God’s love as an exceptional treasure. Yet, it is what we find on the cross. Jesus opened his arms to the world in a loving gesture, pouring out his life for all.
How might we adjust our expectations of God as we prepare to enter Holy Week? We won’t be able to celebrate it quite as we have before. There is grief in the fact that we won’t be able to come together on either Palm or Easter Sunday. Still, God is near and we have an opportunity to welcome the Christ who comes into our isolation and sorrow. Come Lord Jesus and fill us with your love!
In Christ's Light,
Walt
Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends. Copyrighted 2020. Walt Lichtenberger
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