This Sunday’s worship is defined by one big contrast.  It opens with the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem hailed by the crowds as the Messiah, and we’ll wave palms and shout, “Hosanna!”  But the worship then quickly becomes the story of his betrayal, suffering, and death—abandoned by the crowds and his followers.  In place of the sermon is a scripted reading of the Passion Narrative from Mark’s Gospel (chapters 14-15).  Hearing it in all its stark details is moving; we can’t avoid these events in Jesus’ story before his resurrection.  

For the last few weeks Stephanie and I have been watching a few episodes a week of The Chosen.  It’s a streaming series of the life of Christ; there are three seasons on-line so far, with a fourth coming out soon.  It does a very good job of showing Jesus in all his humanity with a lot of theological nuance.  The historian and “Bible scholar” in me is usually very critical of depictions of Jesus’ life, but this one so far has been excellent.  The “chosen” is as much (or more) about the disciples Jesus chose as it is about him as God’s Chosen.  What the series has done for me is highlight how human it all was.  Yes, Jesus is God’s Son—the miracles and healings show that.  But for me the big picture is how Jesus embodies God’s love, will, and intent for all of humanity in his humanity.  The Passion Narrative on Sunday will drive home the extent to which that embodiment goes.  It’s not like Jesus died of cancer at an old age—he died at the hands of human evil.  We see the effects of human evil all the time in the news and suffer its pangs in little and big ways in our own lives.  Because of all that there is meaning in his death on a cross.  

That meaning is debated.  The Passion Narrative—and Easter as a whole—doesn’t give “answers” so much as promises contained in divine events.  God’s love, grace and mercy is in the events of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.  Through the word of those events and God’s promises within them may the Holy Spirit stir in us life, faith, and hope that we too may live!!

Peace,  Pr. Christian