TODAY’S INTRO
On this Good Friday, many of us will go to worship services and hear the final words of Jesus. The Tenebrae service is one of my favorites- the service of shadows. Read through Luke’s account of the crucifixion below. (You might also read the other accounts in Matthew, Mark, or John to compare)
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 23: 32 to 56
32Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. 47When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” 48And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
50Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. 55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Hanging in with someone to the “bitter end” is a tough thing. Yet, Luke makes it chrystal clear that there was a group of women who did. They followed him from Galillee. They listened to his teaching. They provided from their resources to further his ministry. When he was taken into custody and then sentenced to death, they marched behind him. They weeped and wailed and were not afraid to be seen as his followers. They stayed there as he was nailed to the cross and stayed there until he died. They stayed there after he died and were there until he was put in the grave.
We so often emphasize the total abandonment Jesus experienced. Luke makes the case that even as Jesus went through agony, devoted followers were still present. They were surely helpless to do much other than be a witness but. .. . . ..isn’t that what we are supposed to do for the dying.
Death is awkward. People don’t know what to say or do or think or . . . .whatever. People apologize for not knowing what to say or do. Step one—be there! It’s the greatest gif t you can offer. To die well takes courage (Jesus certainly demonstrated that) but so does walking with someone who is dying. It takes love and compassion and the willingness to suffer as well (albeit in a different way than the one who physically dies).
I am very thankful for the witness of these women this day. They loved Jesus to the bitter end. I only hope and pray that at the end of my life they say, “he was so stirred up that he loved the Lord till the bitter end”. May that be said for all of us.
Thanks for walking with me this Lent through Luke. I hope you will do a few things:
1) Join me for a daily walk through Acts starting on Monday, April 5—www.ripplingout.blogspot.com (note that this blog appears on my facebook page as well as “good shepherd Lutheran Gaithersburg “ facebook page.
2) I hope that you will provide me with some feedback on this experience. Click this link to provide me with feedback. Your comments can be anonymous.
https://goodshepherdlc.wufoo.com/forms/feedback-for-jesus-facebook-page-devotion-series/
My brothers and sisters and I had the honor of taking care of my parents "to the bitter end" as they both died of cancer. It was so very hard, but something that I would never change. They were constantly surrounded by love in their last days and that was something they earned. The women who stayed with Jesus probably felt honored as well through their grief and fear.
ReplyDeleteMy family and I witnessed the death of my grandmother last year. It was a hard thing to do. But there is no place I would have rather been. It was an honor. When you love someone, it is the only place you want to be. To give them love until the very end. Those women did that for Jesus--because of the love between them. There was no other choice.
ReplyDelete