(Use the link above to get to the passage)
In a culture where violence is Hollywood-ified, and we may have become desensitised to the horror, the first four verses of today's passage can lose some of their impact. Add to the violence the insult of the crown of thorns and purple robe, and the sarcasm of "Hail, king of the Jews" and the whole picture is horrendous. He who came to reveal the Kingdom of God reduced at the hands of men to be handed over and rejected all the way to crucifixion. The supposedly godly leaders rejecting the Messiah and declaring they had no king but Caesar.
We know now why the betrayal and descent into evil had to happen. But don't lose sight of the fact that it did happen - and be shocked by it. Then turn to the face of your Saviour and say thank you.
Lord Jesus,
you were condemned to death for political expediency:
be with those who are imprisoned
for the convenience of the powerful.
You were the victim of unbridled injustice:
change the minds and motivations of oppressors
and exploiters to your way of peace.
To you, Jesus, innocent though condemned,
be honour and glory with the
Father and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
Amen.
(www.churchofengland.org)
No comments:
Post a Comment