We’ve said the Lenten Journey is our individual and communal journeys toward the cross.  Today is Good Friday and we find ourselves at our destination- the foot of the cross.  What do we find?

I imagine this was a day of despair, disillusionment, disappointment, intense grief, confusion, and fear.

We find disciples distancing themselves from Jesus, disciples denying they knew Jesus at all.  Were they hanging around, albeit from a distance, to find out whether or not Jesus would miraculously save himself?  Perhaps.  This was the man they’d devoted three years of their life to follow.  This was the man they’d believed to be the Messiah, the man they’d hoped would save them all, and victoriously lead the nations.  Today, that hope was crushed.  Today, hope turned into disappointment, grief, confusion and fear.

I imagine the disciples found it impossible to understand why Jesus didn’t save himself.  They knew he could have but, instead, he submitted to the Roman authorities and went peacefully to his crucifixion and death.

Now what?  What are the disciples to do without their leader?  They did what they thought they had to.  They hid, for fear of their lives.  If the Jewish leaders wanted to stamp out Jesus’ following, the disciples could be next.  Yes, today, we find Christ crucified.

Today, we also find out who Jesus truly was: fully human and fully God, and, it turns out, God is love.  Jesus was love embodied.

The people yelled, “Crucify him”, Christ was flogged and mocked and ultimately crucified, and as he hung dying on the cross what did he say?  He asked John to care for his mother (Jn 19:24-27) and he said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34).  Forgive?  How can Jesus ask God to forgive us even while those he loves have already deserted and denied him and we are torturing and killing him?  This is the Son of God who willingly came to earth to become God incarnate and to walk among us and teach us God’s ways, knowing that his human life would end in betrayal and a violent death.  Still, God counted us worthy to come live and die for us.  This is a God of love embodied.  Through this love, know you are forgiven.  You are free from guilt and free from bondage to sin.  You are free from condemnation.  You are free from the power of death.  You are free to live and love and to help bring about God’s reign.  That is the Good News given to all.  Look to the cross and love embodied, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Annie

Today’s Readings:

 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.  The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.  After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.  Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” (Matthew 27:50-54, NRSV)

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.  When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:32-34, NRSV)