pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Gather and Remember

Reading: Matthew 27:15-26

Verse 18: “For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.”

Today is known as both Palm and Passion Sunday. We celebrate the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus’ disciples and followers were joined by many others who cheered and praised God as Jesus entered the city, “gentle and riding on a donkey” – a symbol of peace. But the day does not end with a small, private party rejoicing in the day’s triumphal entry. No, it draws to a close with Jesus tipping over tables, declaring that the religious leaders have made the temple into a “den of robbers.” This sets the tone for the rest of the week. The tension rises and rises, culminating in what we read about today.

Pilate, like almost everyone else in power, knows that Jesus is innocent of any crime deserving even a flogging, nevermind a crucifixion. Pilate “knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.” So he tries to release Jesus. But the religious leaders are ready. They’ve assembled their crowd. Even though Pilate asks, “What crime has he committed?” the crowd continues to shout, “Crucify him!” Washing his hands of innocent blood, Pilate hands Jesus over to die.

From palms to the cross – what a journey! It is an eventful week, one with many connections. The longer journey also began with a connection. Old, dried palms became ashes that we wore on our hands or foreheads as we began Lent. Since then we’ve walked with Jesus as he ministered to the least and the lost. We’ve heard the call to live our faith inside out. And now we are called to this week, to gather and to remember the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, to be present and to soak up Jesus’ passion for all the world. It is not easy being present this week. Yet, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen me for the week ahead. Energize me today with the palms and the celebration. May the triumphal entry help me through the days ahead. Through it all, may I remember that Jesus is Lord. Amen.


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Looking Up

Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9

Verse 7: “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us”.

Photo credit: Carolina Jacomin

As the Israelites near the end of their journey in the wilderness they are tired, impatient, and irritable. Three weeks into Lent and perhaps a few of us grow tired of the themes of reflection and introspection. In the bigger picture, today the source of our weariness and impatience and irritability is the pandemic. As the Israelites grumble against God and Moses, they are expressing these emotions. They long to go back to what was. Tired of their current situation, they let go of their frustration via complaint. This is the fifth complaint story during their wilderness journey. God has had enough. God sends venemous snakes among the Israelites and many die. Consequences.

Like Jesus’ subversive actions in the temple, this response of God makes us feel a little uncomfortable. Our reality, though, is that we have been here too. We have had the tables turned over a time or two or… We have been bitten by our poorly spoken words or via our sinful actions. We too have experienced how the pain drives us to confession and repentance, to turning back toward God. As we look up to the Lord, just like the Israelites did, we find reconciliation and restoration and forgiveness. God is faithful and moves quickly to bring us back into right relationship.

Lent is a wilderness experience, a season of introspection and reflection. In that spirit, let us consider times when our actions have harmed or caused pain for others. Perhaps we are in the midst of such a time. What words spoken have caused harm? What actions have damaged relationships? What words left unspoken or actions left undone have allowed harm or pain to continue? To wrestle with these questions first requires a humble and contrite spirit. On Ash Wednesday we were reminded that this is the posture of Lent – a humble and contrite spirit. It is what leads to a new heart within us and to the place of healing that God so graciously offers.

The Israelites looked up to the reminder that God is in control, to the serpent fashioned by Moses. Today, we lift our eyes to our source of healing and hope, to the one who offers mercy and grace, restoration and wholeness – Jesus Christ. On this Lenten journey, may the God of love continue to sustain you and to give life, even in the wilderness.

Prayer: Lord of life, you are so gracious and merciful and kind. Your love is overwhelming, your patience without end. Just as you continued to walk with the Israelites, walk with me day by day. Reveal to me the ways that I have caused and do cause harm so that I can repent and become more like your son, the Christ. Amen.