I Have Seen the Lord
As we journey through Holy Week, I invite you to meditate on the events of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.
It’s Thursday…(Jn 13:1-17)
Jesus has gathered with his disciples to celebrate the passover meal. His time has come. He is about to enter into his passion. In the midst of all of this, he takes off his outer garment, wraps a towel around his waist, and washes the feet of his disciples. As he wipes the feet of the last disciple, his words cut through the stillness.
"Do you understand what I have done for you?”
These words from Jesus set the tone for the evening of the Last Supper. Jesus offers them an alternative vision of life from the one of which they were a part. The Greco-Roman world in which the disciples lived was characterized by serving one’s own needs and the needs of immediate family. There was no sense of necessity in this world to tend to the needs of others. It was a harsh and unyielding world bent on survival. Jesus offers the disciples an alternative worldview, and in doing so offers us one as well. This Maundy Thursday, we will be exploring the mandate to serve as an alternative to the allure of power that seeks to compel compliance through force.
It’s Friday… (Jn 19:1-30)
Jesus has been arrested. His fate has been sealed by a kiss from his betrayer. He is carried away to be subjected to mock trials all night long. His accusers have seized the moment for which they have waited. Witness after witness is brought forward to testify deceitfully about his words and actions. His disciples have abandoned him, his supporters in the crowd are no where to be seen. Shouts of “Hosanna! “ will soon be replaced by cries of “Crucify!”
Jesus is alone.
The Roman authorities, finding no basis for trial, flog him mercilessly in response to political pressure. The crowds have been stirred to the point of frenzy. Finally, he is crucified for the sins of those who don’t even know him while also being largely rejected by those who do. It is a terrible moment, and yet, it is a moment of triumph for the followers of Jesus. There is something more going on than meets the eye. Pilates attempt at absolution over the entire affair falls pathetically short of what he intends. The earth quakes, the sky darkens, and Jesus the Messiah is dead.
It’s Sunday…(Jn 20:1-18)
Dreams are shattered. Hope is lost. Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb to anoint his body with oil; an act of tenderness for one she loves. But the stone is rolled away, he is not there. Two angelic beings ask why she is crying. The gardener asks her the reason for her tears and for whom is she looking. Then he says her name…Mary. At that moment she realizes, it is the Lord. He is risen from the grave!
Hope is restored and faith is renewed. Jesus’ passion is filled with opportunities to see Jesus in a new and life-giving way. It is a season for us to look inward, to consider our sinfulness and brokenness, and look to Jesus for new life. As appealing as it is, we must not to quickly move to the resurrection but instead take every step of the journey with Christ. We should listen to the disciples, hear the shouts of the crowds, and see every moment that our Lord moves closer and closer to his death and our redemption.
May the Lord show us again and again how much he loves us in his son Jesus. May we see our Lord anew in his suffering, death, and resurrection. And may we find Jesus more beautful and lovely that we could have possibly imagined. I look forward to walking with you on this journey of faith and redemption.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Adam Thornton