Reflection on the Crucifixion
By the Rev’d. Allison Dean
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The religious leaders of Jesus’ day conspired with the Roman rulers – whose rule they resented – to eliminate Jesus. The people could have resisted, but instead they followed along without protest. The same people who shouted “Hosanna” are the ones we now hear shouting “Crucify him!” They preferred to have a criminal released back into their midst than to allow Jesus to live.
That was more than a case of simply making the wrong choice, or giving in to temptation, which is how we often describe “sin” in our watered down understanding. The death of Jesus on the cross was the result of a sustained and coordinated campaign against him. They plotted against him and their plot succeeded (as far as they were concerned, though we know better).
The crucifixion reminds us that there is evil in the world.
Sometimes we forget this because we’re so used to talking and hearing about the cross of Christ. In a sense, the familiarity has robbed it of its power to shock, amaze, surprise, terrify etc. And besides, it happened so long ago. And don’t forget – Easter is coming.
But this week I was unpleasantly reminded of the very real presence of evil when I heard that Don Saunders, Sr. had been killed. Now, it is true that every murder is a tragedy. But you react differently when it is someone you know.
Here was a man who I knew to be a loving husband and father. Here was a man who was devoted to God and to God’s Church. Now he was gone, and in the most violent way possible. If that isn’t evil, I don’t know what it is.
Sometimes we feel like shouting the psalmist’s words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” We want to know why things happen the way they do.
For me, this is never idol speculation. I’m a parish priest. No matter what I’m feeling, sermons still have to be preached. But I can’t preach what I don’t believe. And I believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ must have something to say in every phase of life. So this year I was forced to meditate and reflect on the cross in a way that I haven’t in a long time. And as I contemplated the meaning of the cross in the face of evil one thought kept coming to mind: God is with us.
The incarnation of God in human flesh which we celebrated at Christmas – Emmanuel – finds its ultimate expression at the cross. For what does it mean for God to be with us except that he shares with us in our greatest joys and our deepest woes?
In his earthly life our God wept at the grave of his friend. In his life he prayed that the suffering he had to endure would leave him. When he probably needed them most, those closest to him abandoned him. Our God was beaten, mocked, tormented, violently killed, and hurriedly buried.
Because of what he himself endured, he understands our fear, our doubt, our pain, our grief, our sorrow.
So yes, evil is real. In this world we must sometimes suffer its consequences. But we do not suffer alone. We weep. But we do not weep alone.
The God we meet in Jesus humbled himself, became one of us, and suffered as one of us. It is on his grace and strength that we rely, knowing that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
Emmanuel – God is with us.