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Circuit Thoughts
If my calculations are correct, when you read this article, we will be hip deep in Holy Week. For much of the worldwide church this is the weeklong journey to the empty tomb. But to get to Easter, we must pass through some pretty dark times. This article might get ugly, but here we are.
This past Sunday we rejoiced with the crowds at the coming of the King of Kings. We remember the palm fronds being waved and the coats being laid down for the donkey’s colt that was carrying Christ. You can read all about it in Mark 11. The crowds were wild and rejoicing.
Then something changed. Here we switch to Mark 15. On Thursday night/Friday morning Christ is arrested. What ensues is a kangaroo court, a pressured decision and the Son of God goes to the cross to be Crucified. By 3:00 Friday afternoon, he is dead.
The very crowd that was praising his name, dancing and shouting Hosanna on Sunday afternoon, shouted CRUCIFY HIM on Friday morning. Yes, the same crowd, whipped up in a frenzy by those who wanted to control the situation and the people. The Sanhedrin led by Caiaphas prodded the crowd to condemn Jesus.
But the real tragedy of this event is that if you listen really close, you will hear your own voice. (I told you I was going to go ugly.) Yes. You read correctly, if you listen to the crowd, you will hear your own voice yelling “Crucify Him”.
How do I know? “For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God”; (Romans 3:23). We are all guilty because we have all sinned. Every sin is a shout to crucify. Every sin is a hammer stroke on a nail. Every sin is a condemnation of the Son of God.
Are you still with me?
There is a “But…”
But we are not condemned if we repent and accept Christ as our savior. Remember, on the cross, Christ asked that we be forgiven, and if we ask for that forgiveness, we are forgiven. You see, the cross leads to the tomb, and the tomb will be empty. It will have no hold on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Holy Week is there to guide in coming to terms of what WE did. Oh, we can blame it on a bunch of unknown peasants and common folk in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. But, let’s face it, if we were not sinners, Christ would not have had to go to the cross.
Easter is just around the corner. Make it about more than eggs and chocolate. Make it a true Resurrection Day. Easter is proof of our access to Salvation. Easter is proof that no matter how bad we are, God will still forgive and redeem. (you just have to ask). Easter is proof that Jesus Christ is Alive.
I pray you all have a Happy Resurrection Day and that you truly share in the grace that God is offering to you and to all.
God bless and I will see you in church.