At the conclusion of the Lenten
season we reach a time that has fascinated me for the past several years
because of the interactions and dialogues that take place. As we reach Maundy Thursday we reflect upon
Jesus breaking bread with His disciples for the last time and then serving in
the purest form by washing the feet of the disciples. What has amazed me about this exchange is
that Jesus serves (both food and through His actions) all of the disciples including
Judas, who would betray Him in just a few hours. I have often wondered how I would respond if
I were in this situation. How many times
do we choose to turn away or serve with the wrong intentions because of a past
hurt or exchange with someone? If we
knew that something terrible was about to happen would that change our outlook
of serving to one of ignoring that person or situation? I have to admit that several times I have
wondered how I would respond if I were in that room with Jesus and the truth is
I don’t really have an answer yet.
Next we move to Good Friday, where
we see Jesus arrested, beaten, denied, and eventually crucified. This entire exchange has shocked me because
someone who Jesus trusted and taught betrayed him into the hands of the soldiers. The other disciples abandoned Him in His time
of greatest need and Peter, who vowed to never leave the side of Jesus several
times, denies Him three times. As almost
everyone who had followed Jesus during the past three years walked away from
Him, He chose to subject His body to several horrible beatings and eventually
death on a cross. I have often wondered
what the soldiers who beat and eventually crucified Jesus were thinking. Did they ever stop to question why He didn’t
resist? Did they ever question why there
was so much hatred towards this one man?
Did they ever take a step back to think about the potential repercussions
of their actions? As I have reflected
upon these questions I have wondered about my own life. How many times have I verbally acknowledged
that I desire to follow Christ, yet turn away from Him in moments of
difficulty? How many times have I taught
one thing about God’s love yet done something entirely different with my words
or actions? How could Jesus still love
me, despite the number of times that I have sinned? Despite my own limited understanding, I do know
that God unconditionally loves me, cares for me, and desires to see me live a
life focused towards Him.
After Jesus’ crucifixion I imagine
the next couple of days felt like an eternity.
This man, who had proclaimed that He was the Son of God, was gone. He was lowered from the cross, placed in a
tomb, and left to decay like every other human being. This man who had walked the earth, performed
numerous miracles, and taught people about the true meaning of life had just
left the picture entirely. Those days
must have been filled with questions, doubts, and uncertainties surrounding
what Jesus had taught and lived. I’m
sure that the disciples sat around wondering how a man that they loved so much
and who taught them amazing things was suddenly gone from their presence. As I have thought about these experiences in
my own life, how many times do we question or doubt what God has taught
us? Doubts and questions have often
times lead to the greatest amount of growth in my spiritual life. Doubts and questions should not be
discouraged but rather encouraged as we move along our journey of faith. How many times do we sit waiting for God to
respond, when He has already paved the way for our lives, but we are too afraid
to follow? As you examine your life
today, how do you respond to waiting? Do
you sit back and wait for God to make everything crystal clear or do you step
out in faith, climbing the staircase step-by-step as it is being built?
After these various events we arrive
at the culmination of our Lenten journey with Easter. This wonderful day is one full of
celebration, smiles, and joy that Jesus rose from the dead. We rejoice on this day, celebrate with
corporate worship (with several people that are desperate for a connection with
God), and delight in the promises of God being fulfilled. This glorious day is one where we are
reminded that God can take any tragedy in our lives and turn it into a
triumph. This wonderful day came at a
price though, of one man laying down His life, bearing all of our sins, so that
we could one day live in paradise with Him.
After journeying through the Lenten
season we are often filled with joy and reminded of the love that Jesus
expressed for us on the cross. But then
we move into another week with the same problems that existed before. Where are the promises of God then? Where is that reminder that what we
celebrated just a few days earlier with the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb
in our lives? Have you ever felt that
way? Have you ever asked the question, “So
Now What, God?” We need to remember that
the disciples were not simply trained overnight. The church (meaning us, not the building) was
not built in a matter of minutes, but rather over a great deal of time,
sacrifice, and suffering. Our journey
doesn’t end with Easter but rather continues on throughout the remainder of our
lives as we grow towards being a more devoted disciple of Christ. What opportunities are presenting themselves
for you to grow in your faith following Easter?
What opportunities are arising that may stretch you to deepen your faith? What are the opportunities for you to
experience a resurrection in your own lives today?
No comments:
Post a Comment