After having Holy week activities the last couple of nights with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, what do we do with Saturday? We know that Thursday celebrates the Last Supper, Friday is the day we reflect on and remember the crucifixion, and Sunday is the celebration of the resurrection. Again, I say what about Saturday?
Saturday was the day Jesus was in the tomb. His suffering here on earth had ended and they laid him to rest. What about his disciples? Where would the disciples have gone? What would they do? The man they had devoted their lives to following around for the last three years was dead. I can only imagine how confused and scared they all were. They had left their families behind to follow Jesus. What were they going to tell their families? Were they the ones that were going to look stupid? Were they next? What if the crowds wanted them to be crucified because they were the followers of Jesus? John 20:19 says "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.'" The first part of this verse alludes to the fact that the disciples had all ran and hid in a locked room because they were scared of what the Jewish leaders would do to them. They didn't really understand what was going to happen next. Jesus had tried to tell them, but really he was dead. Could he really raise himself back up from the dead? What were they supposed to do now that their leader was gone?
Confusion....Fear....Sadness....Mourning..... The disciples experienced many different emotions during that time. If they had really understood what Jesus had taught them, would they still be in fear? Are we living in a state of fear, even though Jesus has already told us he has everything under control? No fear.....Sunday is coming!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
A Unique Good Friday: Part 2
Tonight I attended my very first Good Friday service, which also happened to be my first tenebrae service. This service gets its name from the Latin word "tenebrae" which means "darkness" or "shadows." It is a Christian tradition that began in the 4th century and was designed to be conducted on Good Friday. The most significant feature of this service is the gradual extinguishing of the candles in the room, one by one throughout the course of the service- representing the flight of Jesus' disciples as they abandoned Jesus during the last hours of his life- until the congregation is left in total darkness and silence. It is a service of deep meaning and reflection.
The choir presented a compilation of music and narration entitled "Song of the Shadows" by Joseph Martin. The following introduction was written by Joseph M. Martin himself:
"The earthly life of Christ began in shadows. By the flickering of a candle flame in a rugged stable, the Light of the World delivered himself into our darkness.
In the shadows of ancient temples, we see him preaching "let there be light," and hope began to live where once only despair and night had ruled.
In the shadows of an upper room, we see him experiencing betrayal, but teaching the world about forgiveness and servanthood.
In the midnight of Gethsemane, we see Christ himself, struggling as we do with the lengthening shadows of life, and still he teaches us about obedience and sacrifice.
Past Pilate's court, we see Jesus walk through the valley of the shadow of death as he embraces the cross. Yet it is the silhouette of that same cross which cast onto the sands of time, offers rest and shelter for those who are weary from the journey. In that sacred shadow, we discover our faith. It is there we develop our night vision, trusting God to be our guide.
Shall we walk together for awhile in the shadow of the cross? It will not be an easy sojourn, but we will not walk alone. As we confront the "dark night of the soul," we can always find comfort in this: That wherever there are shadows, there is also light."
This sums up the service better than I ever could. It followed the journey of the shadows. For me, I was left with a question. How do I go out and live like the one who was the light in the shadows? Even in times of great suffering, Jesus chose to be the light. How can I imitate Jesus in that manner? How will I react when times are tough and it seems like the world is against me? Will I choose to bring the light or will I hide in the shadows?
The choir presented a compilation of music and narration entitled "Song of the Shadows" by Joseph Martin. The following introduction was written by Joseph M. Martin himself:
"The earthly life of Christ began in shadows. By the flickering of a candle flame in a rugged stable, the Light of the World delivered himself into our darkness.
In the shadows of ancient temples, we see him preaching "let there be light," and hope began to live where once only despair and night had ruled.
In the shadows of an upper room, we see him experiencing betrayal, but teaching the world about forgiveness and servanthood.
In the midnight of Gethsemane, we see Christ himself, struggling as we do with the lengthening shadows of life, and still he teaches us about obedience and sacrifice.
Past Pilate's court, we see Jesus walk through the valley of the shadow of death as he embraces the cross. Yet it is the silhouette of that same cross which cast onto the sands of time, offers rest and shelter for those who are weary from the journey. In that sacred shadow, we discover our faith. It is there we develop our night vision, trusting God to be our guide.
Shall we walk together for awhile in the shadow of the cross? It will not be an easy sojourn, but we will not walk alone. As we confront the "dark night of the soul," we can always find comfort in this: That wherever there are shadows, there is also light."
This sums up the service better than I ever could. It followed the journey of the shadows. For me, I was left with a question. How do I go out and live like the one who was the light in the shadows? Even in times of great suffering, Jesus chose to be the light. How can I imitate Jesus in that manner? How will I react when times are tough and it seems like the world is against me? Will I choose to bring the light or will I hide in the shadows?
A Unique Good Friday: Part 1
Good Friday...the day we set aside to remember the day our Lord was crucified. A day that means many things to many people. Many wonder why we call it good. It is the day that Christ died after all, so what is so good about it. One person reminded me today that good in the English language used to mean holy, so in essence we are really saying Holy Friday. Others say that it is good because without it there is no sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins, but with it our sins are forgiven. Still another person asked me if thought Jesus would use the term "good" when referring to his own crucifixion. Well, that I can't answer. I find it hard to believe that while the crucifixion was occurring that would be a term he would have used to describe his fate, but then again he knew it was necessary.
All of these thoughts were swirling through my head as the day began. The fact that we are coming to the end of the semester and all of the papers and projects are due soon did not seem to matter. After all this day wasn't meant to be spent reflecting on all I have to do, but on all that has already been done for me. Why does it take a day being set aside for this specific purpose to get me to slow down and consider what really matters? Why do I not take some time each day to see the larger story of God both in my life and surrounding me?
After class this morning, we had an SGA sponsored Good Friday service. At this service, I was asked to say the words of institution for communion. This was a brand new experience for me and I was nervous as I got up to speak. Luckily, a friend of mine had the words of institution typed up. As I spoke the words, the power of what I was saying really started to set in and I was overcome by emotion. Then, it came time for me to invite others to the table, but how could I invite others to a table that I am unworthy to take of myself? Why is it that Jesus would not only invite me to his table, but also have me invite others to the table? And why on earth would Jesus be willing to go to such great lengths to forgive me and then invite me in?
All of these thoughts were swirling through my head as the day began. The fact that we are coming to the end of the semester and all of the papers and projects are due soon did not seem to matter. After all this day wasn't meant to be spent reflecting on all I have to do, but on all that has already been done for me. Why does it take a day being set aside for this specific purpose to get me to slow down and consider what really matters? Why do I not take some time each day to see the larger story of God both in my life and surrounding me?
After class this morning, we had an SGA sponsored Good Friday service. At this service, I was asked to say the words of institution for communion. This was a brand new experience for me and I was nervous as I got up to speak. Luckily, a friend of mine had the words of institution typed up. As I spoke the words, the power of what I was saying really started to set in and I was overcome by emotion. Then, it came time for me to invite others to the table, but how could I invite others to a table that I am unworthy to take of myself? Why is it that Jesus would not only invite me to his table, but also have me invite others to the table? And why on earth would Jesus be willing to go to such great lengths to forgive me and then invite me in?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)