It feels like Ash Wednesday was just yesterday and here we are staring Holy Week in the face. This weekend, Jesus enters Jerusalem to the supportive crowds shouting, “Hosanna!” only for the same crowds to take a hard turn a few days later and shout instead, “Crucify, crucify him!” Luke tells us, “and their voices prevailed.”
There are a lot of people in the story of Jesus’ last day who follow the path of least resistance. Neither Herod nor Pilate really find anything wrong with Jesus. They mock him and send him back and forth while the crowd grows more angry and more insistent. Both of these men had the power to make it stop. Either one of them could have put their foot down and said, “No.” No is a complete sentence, and that’s especially true when you are a tyrant. But it’s easier to go with the court of popular opinion. Give the people what they want. Even if they do not know what they are asking for. It’s fair to say there was only one man on that day who knew the full consequences of their actions, and he was the one crucified.
How do we live in a world where it feels at times like indiscriminate violence surrounds us? We know people who seem like they are mean just for mean’s sake. Passive submission doesn’t take as much effort as active resistance.
What does Jesus do? He engages with the people around him. He answers Pilate’s question by turning the responsibility back on Pilate. Jesus warns the women weeping for him to prepare for the hard days ahead. He welcomes the men crucified with him into paradise. He doesn’t stop loving, engaging, and welcoming even on the doorstep of death. Jesus remains open to those around him. Jesus gives up his spirit to his father when no more can be done. This is our life together. We are Jesus’ people, and we too can remain open and available to God’s people. We know that resurrection is coming.
Shalom,
Pastor Melissa