Holy week started pretty early for a lot of us this year. Watching Mel Gibson's film depicting Jesus' Passion was probably the most intense Good Friday experience most of us will ever have. A lot of people I talked to about the film have said they don't want to ever watch it again. Considering the violent nature of the film this is a pretty understandable reaction. Gibson's film, though violent, is an example of a classic passion play. In medieval times passion plays were presented on Good Friday so people who could not read could understand what God in Jesus Christ had done for them.

Easter is not complete without Good Friday. To understand the fullness of God's love we need to look at the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. Holy Week plays a vital part in understanding the message God intended to communicate through Easter. Our culture tends to skip the bad parts and move right to the celebration. This is pretty evident in the way many church's celebrate the Easter season. There are no midweek services at all, just a big bash on Easter Sunday. For many, Gibson's film was the first Good Friday experience they had ever had. Seeing the Easter message from the perspective of Holy Week really deepens the faith experiences.

Jesus tries to explain to the disciples some of the meaning of the events that are about to unfold on Maundy Thursday. In his washing of their feet and sharing of bread and wine he communicates that he is going to continue to take care of them and be with them no matter what they might see in the hours to come. He clearly communicates his purpose and love when he says: I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No on has greater love than this; to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.(NRS John 15:11-14) Having done this he steps into the whirlwind and puts everything into motion.

On Good Friday Jesus laid down his life for us on the cross. This means the cross is not simply a tragedy, it is a deep affirmation of God's love for each and every one of us. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection have changed forever the ways a Christian looks at the negative experiences we all encounter. The cross gives positive value to the ultimate negative.

Jesus' crucifixion embraces the tragedy and suffering we all experience and gives them meaning and purpose. It is an eternal assurance that God can incorporate even the most violent experience into his plan for salvation. There is no deeper way that Jesus could have expressed his love.

During the Easter Vigil we contemplate God's saving acts throughout human history. The acts that are finally fulfilled completely with Jesus' Resurrection. It portrays the loving faithfulness of God throughout history. During this service we spend time contemplating the deep love of God and the light which has come into the world through Jesus. Here we can see that Jesus is God's "Yes!" to our deepest questions and desires. St. Paul explains God's Yes to the Corinthians in this passage. Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards, ready to say "Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been "Yes and No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not "Yes and No"; but in him it is always "Yes," For in him everyone of God's promises is a "Yes." For this reason it is through him that we say the "Amen," to the glory of God, (NRS Corinthians 1:17-20)

When Easter dawns the darkness is conquered and we know not only the depth of God's love Easter, but the true cost as well. The fullness of this love is best expressed by the Apostle John: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal live."
(NRS John 3:16)

Everything that Jesus did, including the way he died is an expression of God's love. If you want to know the depth of God's love for you all you have to do is look in the cross. If you want to know the results that kind of love have in our life, look at Easter.

The most important thing about all of this though, is a lot simpler. Just remember that you are the beloved of God in Christ Jesus and with you God is well pleased.

Pastor Jim Bliss

Contact Pastor Jim:
Email: jbliss@resluthdublin.org
Phone: (925) 828-1580.

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