It is Holy Week and what have you done? The Lenten Season and New Year's is similar in that during these times many of us make promises and declarations that are soon forgotten and often broken. You gave up Pepsi and drank Coke. Or you read the Bible...more. As we enter Holy Week we know that it begins with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The crowds cheered and showed Him love and treated Him like a celebrity. On Sunday, Jesus had His loyal 12 and many more followers. That number would be decreased by a lot by the week's end. How is it that this wonderful man who had healed, resurrected, and fed the masses all of a sudden be condemned to death?
Sadly, we all played a part. No, none of us were physically there, but we were there. Jesus was accused, found guilty, and crucified by us.... for us. I know it is crazy, but it is the truth. There are some key players who represent us all. As you read through this list, you might feel like this message is for you. I believe this message is for all of humanity.
Most infamous is Judas. We are so quick to condemn this follower, friend of Jesus for betraying Jesus for money. Really? In 2014 people who have the most, the biggest, the newest, the bestest are living the "American Dream". Getting ahead usually means stepping on others to get there. Often the term "brown nosing" is used when 'go-getters' get ahead. Would you have given Jesus up for some money? Maybe.
Or perhaps your role would have been like Peter's. Peter was one of Jesus' devoted Apostles. He walked with Jesus, learned from Jesus, and pledged to support Jesus to the bitter end. The problem is Peter did not realize how bitter the end was going to get. He had good intentions, but bad follow through. He was truly a fair weather friend. So when he was asked, "do you know this man (Jesus)", Peter responded, "no". He did not do this just once, but he responded similarly three times. But of course, we would never deny knowing Jesus, would we? Jesus is denied every time we let our egos take over and we claim responsibility for the positives in our lives. Jesus is also denied when we allow our anger, hurts, and disappointments to dictate what we say or do. When we allow anything other than love to flow from our mouths and from our actions, we have effectively denied Jesus...thus we are Peter.
Ok...so maybe you are like Pilate. Pilate washed his hands of the situation when you could make a decision not to crucify Jesus. However, in order to stay in the good graces of the masses, he just removed himself from the equation. How does this fit with us? We allow others to be mistreated, abused, bullied as we say, "I don't want to get involved". Does this make us a good guys? Throughout history there have been "Pilates" whose actions or inactions really could have changed the course of history. We don't want to 'poke our noses' in others' business especially if our role puts us on a side that is not all that popular. So instead of standing up for what is right or what we believe, we just 'wash our hands' of the situation. We sit back and allow the Herods of our lives have the final say regardless of the consequences.
This is a bit depressing so perhaps feel like you would be one of the other disciples who went up to the mountain with Jesus to pray. But it had been a long week. You walked into Jerusalem; you've eaten at several homes; you have witnessed countless miracles being performed by Jesus; you have listened to parables and tried to understand what Jesus was talking about. You have even tried to find out your role in the rebuilding of the Kingdom and you're really confused about the rebuilding in 3 days. But you continue with your devotion to this Rabbi. He is Jesus and now He has finally taken a break from the bedlam and has retreated to the Mount to pray. So, you and your comrades fall asleep. So, I guess you aren't doing anything wrong, you are just plain tired. Moreover, you don't realize Jesus' need of you at this time. How often have you misread a person? How often have you missed an opportunity to be a support for a person going through his/her personal trials? Then to learn that this person only has a few days left to live...what a tragedy!
But guess what? God knew all of this about us and He still loved us enough to send Jesus to the cross to die for us. Amazing Love!! As you decide how you are going to celebrate this Holy Week, remember the sacrifice, love, blood, sweat and tears that made it all possible.
In His Service,
Reba
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