The Passion of Christ
Palm Sunday’s readings recount the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday ~ 4/2/2023
I think this is the saddest day of the year. The readings for today cover the entire Passion story:
From Jesus getting a donkey to ride on so that He would fulfill scripture, His triumphant entry into Jerusalem,
to Judas’ arrangement to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver,
the Last Supper with His twelve apostles, including Judas – knowing His betrayer,
praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweating drops of blood from the sorrow,
His Apostle’s inability to stay awake for even one hour to pray with Him,
Judas’ actual betrayal with a kiss,
His arrest,
Peter’s denial of Him, not just once, but tree times, before the cock crowed,
the trial and release of Barabbas,
the scourging,
the crowning of thorns,
mocking,
ridicule,
humiliation,
spat upon,
stripped and whipped with a reed,
then forced to carry His cross up to the hill of crucifixion – Golgotha – which means, “Place of the Skull”,
after being nailed to the cross, the humiliation continued – offering Him gall to drink (vinegar),
and, ensuring He was actually dead; was pierced in the side, all to fulfill scripture, that no bones would be broken
Can you even begin to imagine?!?! I cannot.
I can remember a few years ago, watching the movie, “The Passion of Christ”, featuring Mel Gibson. I hid my face, I cried, I trembled, I wanted to throw up, I cried some more, I wanted to leave the theatre, but stayed and shut or covered my eyes more times than I can remember – watching it was too horrible, even hearing the sounds was difficult – so, no, I cannot even imagine enduring all that Jesus endured!
And, that He did it for me.
And, for you.
To be obedient to the will of His heavenly Father.
As we plan our week ahead, I encourage you to take some time to read one of the Gospel writer’s versions of Christ’s journey to His Crucifixion, death and burial. Consider spending one hour each day, as He asked His followers to spend praying with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
“I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” . . . After this pattern was repeated a second and a third time, with his Apostles disappointing him by falling asleep each time, he said, “Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man has been betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.” Mark 14:34-42
Now, keep in mind, these were the chosen twelve who he had handpicked, who had walked, eaten, prayed and lived with him for three years. They were taught all they needed to know. They witnessed firsthand, miracles of a wide variety. They watched Him draw crowds of thousands, then feed them by multiplying loaves and fishes, they saw Him cure the blind and lame, a man’s withered hands, and a hemorrhaging women, a dying child, and more. Three of his disciples, (Peter, James and John) witnessed His Transfiguration & yet Peter still denied Him!
The most recent miracle, the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back, was His bringing His beloved friend, Lazarus, back to life. This was too much for the Roman leaders to handle – He had become too much of a threat to their reign of power. The more Jesus showed them that He was glorifying His Father through His works, the less they seemed to understand. Now He was on trial for claiming to be the Son of God and none of them stood up for Him or by His side once He was arrested. The accounts differ slightly – see what you learn by comparing their stories. If it was that difficult for them to pray with Jesus, or to admit they were a follower of His, in His final hours, I know how hard it is for us. But try anyway. Consider these quesitons:
What is described by each author leading up to His arrest?
How did He spend time with His Apostles?
What stands out to you from each author’s account?
How do the accounts differ?
How are they the same"?
Why do you think certain authors mentioned things others did not?
Matthew Chapters 26-27 (The Resurrection is in Chapter 28)
Mark Chapters 14-15 (The Resurrection is in Chapter 16)
Luke Chapters 22-23 (The Resurrection is in Chapter 24)
John Chapters 16-19 (The Resurrection is described in Chapter 20)
I included the Resurrection chapters for you to consider studying on Saturday or Sunday.
May you find that you can indeed devote one hour, for four days, to immersing yourself in the words of the most important chapters written about human history, and one man’s love for all of humanity!
I wish you a most Blessed Holy Week.