Every year something stands out in the drama of Holy Week which begins with Jesus’ dramatic entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (March 24). On Maundy / Holy Thursday (March 28) Jesus celebrates the first communion amidst a Seder meal that commemorates Passover and escape from bondage in Egypt. Jesus then washes his disciples’ feet and commands them to love one another. People will know that we are Christians by our love. Churches are known in a variety of ways, but rarely by love. The Maundy / Holy Thursday service ends with a silent commemoration of when Jesus was betrayed, taken by civil and religious authorities, and interrogated.
On the Friday we call “Good,” (March 29) Jesus goes to the cross for our sins. Jesus performed a variety of miracles, yet willingly went to the cross. On the cross Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus forgives the very people who captured, tortured and crucified him. What had the people done to deserve and/or earn Jesus’ forgiveness? In what ways did they repent or demonstrate remorse? They did neither. They did nothing to deserve and/or earn his forgiveness. Today there are people who absolutely refuse to forgive a person until that person earns their forgiveness. What about you and me? What have any of us done to earn Jesus’ forgiveness (and love)? In the prayer that Jesus taught us, known as the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus says, “…forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us ... ” In the verses that follow Jesus says, “14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (See Matthew chapter 6 verses 5-15). The Good Friday service ends in silence following reading of Jesus’ crucifixion, death and burial. Holy Saturday can be an uncomfortable time of waiting. As Christians we know the good news, yet Saturday is a time to reflect on the experience of the grief at that time of the followers of Christ. Easter / Resurrection Sunday (March 31) we hear of the faithful followers going to visit Jesus’ grave. There were no Easter baskets filled with fake grass, jellybeans, painted eggs and chocolate bunnies. There was profound grief followed by shock followed by awe. Jesus was captured, tortured, killed, buried, and now he had risen. We are living through very stressful times with parts of the world at war and other parts tense with rumors of wars to come. Faith in Christ who is with us always is what keeps me going. Stephen Reed is pastor at St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall and chaplain for Police and Fire. Faith Insight is sponsored by the Tanana Valley Christian Conference. Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner on March 24, 2024 Comments are closed.
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Fr. SteveMarried 27 years, 2 kids, 1 cat and 1 dog. Ordained & Chaplain for 20 years. Ministry philosophy - we're all in this together and Jesus leads the way. Hobbies: working in the woodshed, teaching, and competitive shooting Archives
March 2024
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