Read Luke 23: 1-24
Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and he said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.”…”Crucify, crucify him!”…So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted.
Jesus is the victim of the consummate power struggle, conflicting purposes that are exacerbated by the personalities and fears of those involved. The person whose life is at stake seems to be ignored. And justice fails. The truth is, Jesus stands for all those things that are different from what we know. Jesus says those things that the world does not want to hear. He speaks against the status quo. He speaks for those rejected and cast aside by acceptable society. Jesus creates chaos in the midst of our orderly lives. He must be silenced.
Oh, we stand in awe of these convictions. We are amazed that someone has the courage to look into the face of death and, without fear, say nothing. And yet many of us are silenced by our fears and our anxieties and our attempts to maintain our carefully preserved lives.
And now he stands…in silence. “And darkness covered the face of the deep.” (Gen. 1:2a). Father, forgive.
Jesus, true and silent victim, let the power of your life, the beauty of your silence, be my courage. In the name of the One who redeems me. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment