Tuesday, March 26, 2013

12 Random Thoughts on the Passion


I had fun last month posting my random thoughts, so I thought I would do the same again this week.

Without further ado, here are twelve more after hearing Luke's Passion this Palm Sunday.

  1. Despite knowing what awaited Him that night, our Lord had the patience and courage to keep teaching His apostles.  Even as they argued over who was greatest.  
  2. Jesus tells Peter he must strengthen his brothers.  I believe that duty is passed onto us as well.
  3. Jesus heads out to the Mount of Olives.  I often wonder why he liked it there so much.  Did He like the backdrop of Jerusalem?  Was it peaceful?  Or just convenient?  No matter what, it is poetic that the place He delivered Himself over to His enemies is the same place He ascended into Heaven from.
  4. How far is a stone's throw?  Are we talking a Peyton Manning throw?  Or a soft underhand toss?  Could they hear Him?  See Him? 
  5. Jesus prays fervently and drips sweat "like drops of blood".  The apostles sleep.  These inharmonious images haunt me.
  6. In my mind, Peter never denies Jesus from his heart.  For me it was always a passing comment ... one meant to shoo off these people and keep himself alive. Kind of like when we tell white lies.  We don't really feel like we are lying in the moment. Similarly, I really don't imagine Peter felt like he was truly denying Christ.  Until that cock crowed.  
  7. Herod and Pilate became friends that day even though they had been enemies formerly.  Even in the face of death, Jesus removed hatred from sinners.
  8. The Jewish people choose Barabbas, yes.  And the Romans executed Christ.  But it was our sins that killed Jesus.
  9. "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves."  Here was a Man headed off to be brutally murdered.  And he is telling those on hand that they should cry for their future?  Yikes.
  10. "Today you will be with me in Paradise."  I hope we all hear that when we are lying on our death beds. (Also, it would be a good inspirational line for a blog ;)
  11. Our Lord's acquaintances stood at a distance and watched.  I often picture them right under the cross the whole time.  I forget how scared they still must have been.  
  12. He breathed His last.  It must have been devastating to those who followed Him.   That moment when their teacher was no longer with them. They must have been so confused; this "ending" must have been so different than they imagined.  Little did they know...
Extra Credit Thought:  I believe the centurion that praised God after Jesus breathed His last was the first convert based on our Lord's death.

I hope you are having a Blessed Holy Week.

5 comments:

Thomas Fuller said...

I noticed that the disciples were "sleeping from grief." What does that mean? It makes me a bit more sympathetic to them....

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Thanx for these thoughts, Michael. Brillant post as ever.

Our priest on Sunday said that Herod had called for Jesus because he had hoped to see Him perform a miracle. Jesus did indeed perform a miracle that day. Herod and Pilate had been enemies and, because they both were involved in Jesus' trial, they became friends afterwards. Herod though did not realise that he got the miracle he'd hoped for.

God bless.

Mary N. said...

I enjoyed reading your thoughts, Michael! (Yes, I agree on the "extra credit".) God bless!

Unknown said...

I have often wondered about the stone's throw as well :) As for the Centurion ~I wonder if he was the first convert, or if perhaps it was Malchus after Jesus restored his ear?
A blessed Triduum to you, Michael.

Michael said...

Thomas: I believe the common interpretation of that phrase is that they were exhausted emotionally. And I am always sympathetic for them - despite their weaknesses. It is so easy to read and comment, but I wonder if I would have had half the strength they had. We have the luxury of knowing the story - they did not fully appreciate it until they saw the risen Christ and were strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Victor: Thank you. I never though about that being Herod's miracle! What a great perspective!

Mary: Thank you!

Karinann: I often wonder about Malchus as well. Talk about someone that must have been confused! Here he was, sent to arrest this "troublemaker", and Jesus turns and heals him ... miraculously!

God Bless all of you, and thank you for your comments.