When Jesus was murdered by the Roman Empire, it wasn’t because He was the Messiah or the King of Israel. He wasn’t murdered because His movement was a serious threat to stability in the Middle East, or because He could give Herod a run for his money. Outside of a few dozen people, Jesus was a nobody; a hayseed rabbi who taught a different kind of message. For Pilate, who was considered cruel and vicious even by today’s standards, Jesus was an administrative problem. To some of the Jewish leadership, He was causing a little chaos, although not as much as John the Baptist did. Jesus wasn’t a real threat to anyone but Himself, and He was killed in a way that made sure His memory would be one of humiliation, like so many others like Him. They were all sure that Jesus would be one more forgotten radical teacher, a blip in history.
Everyone loves a parade, but few people life a funeral. The first day of Holy Week – Palm Sunday – is often overdone in churches with pageantry and hoopla, but it probably wasn’t all that big a deal. Except for the rabble that exalted Jesus – they were pumped up! Holy Thursday may or may not have been the Passover meal, but it was only attended by His closest friends and, maybe, some family. Nobody in the room knew what was coming; nobody, that is, except for Jesus. Like that storm you see on the horizon, trouble was coming. And on Good Friday, everyone scrammed. Some stood in the distance while others took off for other towns. The party was over, and nobody wanted to get caught in the crossfire. These oppressed people were used to losing; this was just one more disappointment that they would have to move on from. They were there for the parties, but not for the funeral. Nobody likes a funeral.
We know the end of the story, and we have allowed ourselves to be convinced that there was something wrong with those followers who didn’t stick up for Jesus. We blame them for what happened – or we blame God for what happened – but the truth is, Jesus was murdered because He was annoying enough to get rid of. An example to anyone else with delusions of grandeur. Pax Romana was held together with big victories and small adjustments, because those small irritations can become something bigger. Better to nip it in the bud.
Our churches will be full of nicely dressed people this Sunday, just like they were for Christmas. And that is wonderful; but the power of the resurrection is that it is present in all the days in between those two Holy Days that nurture our faith. It is prayer and study and acts of generosity and kindness that bring us blessings. We all love the party – we love the brass, and we love the spectacle – we love the Hallelujah Chorus, and we love the flowers. But for followers of Jesus, the next Sunday and the Sundays after matter just as much. Come for the party – stay for the love of the community. Because every Sunday is Easter. And we have to get through the funeral together and intact to truly appreciate the party after. Faith is a journey – a practice – a lifestyle. See you soon.
Prayer – Hold us close today, loving God, as we take this incredibly important journey through death. Amen.
Today’s art is “Good Friday Abstract” by Fred Baumbach.