April 22, 2011
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
By Melanie Rigney
Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. (Isaiah 53:7-10)
In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Hebrews 5:7-9)
(A)ware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. (John 19:28-30)
Piety
For all my foes I am an object of reproach, a laughingstock to my neighbors, and a dread to my friends; they who see me abroad flee from me. I am forgotten like the unremembered dead; I am like a dish that is broken. (Psalms 31:12-13)
Study
Today is the solemnest of all days for Christians, the day we remember Christ’s willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, a ragtag band of sinners, and the grace with which he did it.
A friend earlier this week sent me this paragraph attributed to Henri Nouwen:
Even though he was full of divine power, Jesus believed that changing stones into bread, seeking popularity, and being counted among the great ones of the earth were temptations. Again and again Jesus opts for what is small and hidden and poor, and accordingly declines to wield influence. His miracles always serve to express his profound compassion with suffering humanity. Never are they attempts to call attention to himself… It becomes plain to us that God has willed to show love for the world by descending more and more deeply into human frailty. The more conscious Jesus becomes of the mission entrusted to him, the more he realizes that that mission will make him poorer and poorer. And finally he hangs on a cross, crying out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Only then do we know how far God has gone to show us his love. For it is then that Jesus not only reached his utmost poverty, but also showed us God’s utmost love.
Why did Jesus do it, remain in community with a bunch of people who often didn’t have the faintest idea what he was saying, some of whom betrayed and denied him; play verbal volleyball with the Pharisees and Sadducees, go through public humiliation, scourging, and crucifixion?
Because he loved his Father enough to be obedient and to allow the Lord’s will to be done through him. And because, silly and troubled and irksome though we may be, he loved us enough to willingly offer himself up for us.
We know the fruits of his obedience to God. What will be the fruits of the sacrifice he made for you?
Action
In what part of your human frailty has God met you? Spend some time in contemplation on the answer this afternoon.
