You know the saying, he’s as hard as nails? Well we know that’s not literally true. The nails that were used to pin Jesus to the cross were probably rusty, blood stained and old. It was a horrible death – slow and agonising during which he went through all the human agonies – something we don’t like to think about, a stumbling block to our sensibilities, but the heart of our faith. A faith that proclaims that Jesus, both God and human, died for all of humanity. A death which was undertaken with strength, as he forgave others and promised everlasting life. A death which was endured with weakness, as he felt that God the Father had gone from him, as he felt sorrow and as he felt thirsty. A death in which Jesus trusted that God the Father would receive him back.
How often do we follow Jesus so that we may live in God’s strength? How often do we endure weakness apart from God? How often do we find that we must trust God even though he seems far away? As we struggle to do all these things, let us remember that Jesus, God’s own son, has struggled in the same way, yet without sin. And so let us repent and turn to Jesus.
A couple of weeks ago I went with a friend to see the controversial film by Mel Gibson ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Although I had read many reviews and seen several clips, nothing could have prepared me for what was nothing short of torture. The agonies that Jesus endured as he was beaten relentlessly, almost to the point of death, and then forced to carry his own cross were excruciating to watch. Yet he never complained or asked to be spared. He took our punishment upon his shoulders and asked his Father to forgive us. Such love he had for us.
Yet still our world does not turn and listen. Even now, the world spins round on its axis, but does not turn to look and see. Humanity does not turn to ask, in the midst of suffering, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’
Every blessing this Eastertide,
Penny
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