When we meditate on the Good Friday events, I am drawn by the adverse events that Jesus had to endure and overcome in order to voluntarily surrender Himself to a form of death that was usually the lot of a criminal.
1. Judas waited for a good opportunity to betray Jesus (Matt.26.16)
To be in the midst of a disciple, Judas, even at the time of the last supper, who was plotting to betray Jesus, would have been normally an anger or hate generating experience. But Jesus faced this hour of crisis with unusual magnanimity and fortitude. At the passover meal, Jesus revealed to the disciples as to who was about to betray Him (Matt.26. 20-25). In fact, Judas said to Jesus that 'surely it is not I, Rabbi', to which Jesus responded, 'You have said it yourself'(v.25). This conversation happened after Judas collected thirty pieces of silver earlier from the chief priests (v15).
At the time of Judas coming to betray Jesus with a company of soldiers to arrest him, Judas said, 'Hail Rabbi' and kissed Jesus. Jesus replied, 'Friend, do what you have come for' (Matt.26.47-50). That is how the soldiers seized Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.
Judas was an insider ever present with Jesus, chosen and upbuilt by Jesus. What surprises us as we read v24 in this narration, is Jesus's own confession that, 'That son of Man is to go..' Knowing that his next station was Golgotha from the time of His incarnation, Jesus held no one responsible for his crucifixion. It was to happen and His readiness was expressed in several ways in different conversations and teachings to the disciples and multitudes who gathered to hear Him.
Our destiny is not necessarily a usual form of success or acceptance or adulation. There is a season of rejection, or torment. It is for this season of suffering all followers of Jesus ought to be ready for. It is good to be ready to face this assault coming from those who are close to us. It is when we resist or react or make a public noise, we loose the advantage of grace that would accompany us! In acceptance lies peace! The word of Jesus to all who are called to suffer is: 'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful' (John14.27).
As I felt swayed in the storm at work place for a few months now, what is still holding me in hope is this promise of peace. The important experience is that God gives strength not based on our merit, or how right we are or not, but out of His bountiful mercy.
2. Jesus chose not to defend Himself (Matt.26: 52-54)
A the time of the arrest of Jesus, 'one of those present with Jesus reached and drew out his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My father and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels' (Matt. 26;51-54). In fact in the narration in Luke's gospel, Jesus seemed to have rebuked this, by saying 'Stop, No more of this' and He touched his ear and healed his ear (Luke 22.51). The men who were holding Jesus were mocking and beating Him and asking him to prophecy as to who was hitting Him. And many were saying things against him and blaspheming.
I find this as the hardest part of the crucifixion story to come to terms with. Even when Jesus was brought to Caiaphas and the council brought false testimony against Jesus, we read in Matt.26:63 'Jesus kept silent'.
What can a rose bud do if it was faced with a storm or an insect damaging the bud by feeding on it! This vulnerability is rather unique. A bud destined to be a flower cannot protect itself. The saviour of the world, the Son of God, and the Prince of peace although could defend Himself and seek His Father's intervention, surrendered Himself to be vulnerable even to be betrayed, denied by Peter and accused falsely by all around Him.
When the Christian Hospital at Oddanchatram was starting a new building project about fifty years ago, a local farmer objected to build on the property as he claimed his right over the property falsely. Dr A.K.Tharien waited till that person voluntarily withdrew all objections. Although it caused a delay of a year or more, Dr Tharien mentioned to me that it was a turning point for the local community to accept the hospital project and its services.
We are in the midst of strong political accusations by opposition parties against the ruling parties in different states in Indian connection with the state elections. What we hear is accusation and counter accusation by political parties against each other. The defence and self promotion are too ugly to believe or consider as ethical.
I like the way Apostle Peter summarised his observation about it in his epistle:'..since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled He did not revile in return, while suffering, He uttered no threat, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously' (I Pet. 2:21-23).
It is fair to commit all things to God. This means a season of suffering and waiting. One might not be exonerated even at the end, but the way of enduring by 'committing all things to God who judges righteously' is the Gospel way.
3. The impact of deceit
The story of Judas narrated in Matt. 27:10 is a terrible end of a disciple by hanging himself due to an awful sense of guilt that he faced, when he knew that Jesus was condemned to death(v.3). Did Judas betray Jesus for the love of money! Did he think that Jesus would escape condemnation because of a righteous life he lived! Whatever it might be, the news of Jesus condemned to death shook him badly. He came to his senses that he betrayed the One in whose company he lived, experiencing and witnessing marvellous deeds of God.
I find it hard to take in that Judas inspite of his association with Jesus for over three years could not deal with his remorse in a more desirable way. Did he forget that Jesus was a forgiving Lord! For a while it seemed that he forgot that Jesus forgave even a woman caught in an act of adultery, Zaccheus a tax collector who defrauded people and many like them who approached Jesus in penitence.
I find that most people find it hard to deal with grief, guilt and failure in life. Having listened to about 80,000 families during my working life, I have a closer view of what disturbs people and their wellness. It is their inability to reconcile with guilt or failure.
If there is a message that comes to me on this Good Friday, it is this that many who live around me carry regrets or remorses which they could not resolve and return to embrace their gentle self that God so loves!
I remember occasions of awful regretful feelings that I went through when I realised that I could have avoided a particular action which unsettled me or others. The intense loneliness accompanying such times can be devastating for those who feel guilty.
I wish spiritual attitude to life and living would create godliness in life so that we behave from a resolve to live honourably before God and justly with others. When we fail, I hope there would be companions, who would accompany us through the season of regret and resolution!
4. Frenzy and not reason (Matt. 27:23)
In the narration of Jesus before Pilate in Matthew 27:11-32, we are made aware of the abdication of reason in the trial process. The trial process was not conducted by Pilate but by the crowd who gathered at the instigation of the chief priests and elders (v 20). Pilate had a message from his wife to let the innocent Jesus be released as she had a dream. Pilate created a chance of a choice for the crowd to release Jesus, but yielded to the pressure of the crowd to free Barabbas, although he was imprisoned for criminal activity. Pilate instead of being the judge to do justice, washed his hands to free himself of guilt and allowed innocent Jesus to be crucified (v.24). It is unsettling to know that even a judge can be influenced by public opinion or sentiment.
We have instances of similar nature in India in the recent months of some judgements from the civil courts, where we have reasons to suspect that reason and logic did nor receive prime attention. Along with that, there is suppression of dissenting voices which could have enlarged the reasoning process, by considerable pressure on the media to conform to the official version of news and views.
We live in perilous times, when to be biased is considered acceptable for a cause, often for the benefits of a section in the society. I am alarmed at the way prime minister of India referred to Judas betraying Jesus for silver in an election rally this week, to abuse a political party for betraying people in Kerala in order to get some gain through the gold transactions that some in the party were supposedly involved in. To use a Biblical story during the Holy Week to gain votes for his party by abusing another party by equating to an event in the life of Jesus, looked as a glaring example of dispensing with reason and logic!
The climax of the crucifixion story was that reason returned to at least to a centurion and some who were with him. when they saw the earth quake and the things happening at the time of the death of Jesus. They said, 'Truly this was the son of God' (v54).
There would be a delay for reason to reign, but it is certain to happen as the 'government is upon His shoulder' and He shall bring justice to fruition at His time.
5. The dependable women (Mat 27:55-56)
At the time of the arrest of Jesus, 'All the disciples left him and fled (Matt 26.56). Peter who was following him at a distance denied Jesus before a servant girl.
What we know form the narration in the gospels is that 'many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him..'(v55).
The three who are mentioned by name were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James ands Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
It is this reference which has made me feel unsettled for several years now, as to how women can have lesser role in function, service and leadership in the Church, knowing that it was the women who showed steadfastness and fortitude during the difficult time of crucifixion!
It was 'Mary Magdalene and the other Mary' who came at dawn on the first day of the week to the grave of Jesus to see it open and empty!
The Church Universal would be a better body of believers if women are at par with men in responsibilities and leadership roles conforming to a Biblical model!
The rose buds were vulnerable to adverse influences.
The Lord Jesus was vulnerable and did not defend His innocence. He surrendered to God's plan for His life.
The Church universal is now in a vulnerable position loosing its prophetic and inspiring role to lead people into the high ways of God on a pilgrim journey! Is the Church losing its saltiness!If the salt has lost its saltiness, what use it would have !
We live carrying the message of the crucified saviour upon our hearts. As His followers, is that message coming through distinctly and devoutly!
The Church is a congregation of pilgrims on a journey after Jesus who was crucified and risen on the third day!
Any community who witnesses to the life and teachings of Jesus is a light of the world!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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