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Easter reflections – Day 6
“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Day 1 – - – Day 2 – - – Day 3 – - – Day 4 – - – Day 5 – - – Day 6 – - – Day 7 – - – Day 8 – - -> As we continue our journey along the Stations of the Cross, find a few minutes to consider these images, and what they mean. The questions and quotes below may help. How will they shape the way you see the world today? 11. Crucified Jesus is nailed to the cross he struggled to carry. On impact the nail would sever the median, the major nerve between arm and hand, causing continuous pain from which we get the word “excruciating”. What force drove in those nails? The deliberate, repeated blows, from man-made tools, used by soldiers under orders, enforcing injustice, enabled by corruption, driven by the crowd fuelled by anger and fear. What anger and fear? Anger at Jesus’ suggestion that no-one had earned their way to God? Anger that years of trying had not been good enough? Anger that we cannot be the masters, but he must? Fear of wrath from jealous earthly kings? Fear of losing – nation, self, identity, everything? Fear that Jesus might be right? Do we know that fear which says to anger “go ahead, strike hard, harder so that I remain unseen, and no-one will suspect that weakness drives our soulless strength.” If this is us, broken by sin, how could we blame anyone else for breaking the body of Jesus? But was it “my sin that held him there”? Or was it his love, his decision to remain there, until his work for us was done? 12. Jesus dies “Iconic” is an overused word today, but some images are truly icons, representing something with meaning and purpose. As Jesus was on display, naked and broken, what does this picture represent? Were God’s enemies, and our broken hearts, in control? Or was this a picture of God’s love made real? Saint Paul argued that God was in control at this point: “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” (Romans 3 verse 25) Atonement was another well understood icon – one perfect sacrifice would be made for the community as a whole. The sacrifice represented punishment due, and justice done. By sharing that sacrifice, all of God’s people could enjoy renewed healthy relationships with God and each other.
It turns out that while people had made iconic sacrifices in the past, God had been working to complete the reality which they all pointed to. Jesus’ sacrifice of himself was the perfect offering. Only a perfect priest – God himself – could have made it. So if “God presented Christ,” and God was in complete control at this moment, what role or power did his enemies have? Absolutely none. But that was not how things looked at the moment of Jesus’ death. If you had been there, and judged by what you saw, who would you say had won? If you were a follower of Jesus, hoping for a miracle, how would you have felt when he gave up his spirit with a loud cry? If you had heard Jesus’ words “it is finished”, would that have sounded like defeat or victory? When defeat seems certain for us, do we know what is really happening? Are we going to walk with the enemies who say that death has won, or with Jesus, who is meeting death and knowing that there is more life to come? What will we bring to his altar, the cross, today? Walk with us Day 1 – - – Day 2 – - – Day 3 – - – Day 4 – - – Day 5 – - – Day 6 – - – Day 7 – - – Day 8 – - -> Considering these things alone can be valuable, but daunting. When we walk through this together, we can find strength. So you are invited to join us and walk the Stations of the Cross at Saint Stephens. Good Friday 10th – stillness and space from noon, then Praying the Stations of the Cross from 2pm Holy Saturday 11th – 8.30pm – Celebrating the Mystery together with signs of the resurrection, the first communion of Easter, and the chants and sounds of mystery, hope and transformation Easter Sunday 12th – 10.30am – Celebration of Easter, simply, with the cafe, garden, flowers, communion (and Easter eggs!) Want to ask a question or share a thought? As well as joining us in person, you can email easter@saint-stephens.com Please indicate if your comments are private or for sharing, and we would love to hear from you.
Bern Leckie, Development administrator, Saint Stephens Leave a Reply |
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