Holy Saturday

Rev. Larry Bowden

It was the preparation day for the Sabbath, and the Sabbath was quickly approaching.  The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph from Arimathea, who had taken Jesus’ body from the cross.  They saw the tomb, and how Jesus’ body was laid in it, then they went away and prepared fragant spices and perfumed oils.  They rested on the Sabbath, in keeping with the commandment. – Luke 23:54-56 (alt.) CEB

The other days of Holy Week have distinctive names.  Palm Sunday.  Maundy Thursday.  Good Friday.  Easter Sunday.  But the Saturday after Good Friday and before Easter has to make do with a generic “Holy”.  Surely we could have come up with something better than “Holy” for the day when Jesus’ body lies in the tomb, and the disciples are gripped by grief and fear.  What’s holy about that?

Several years ago, I noticed that this day felt different.  One church I served had its Easter Egg Hunt on the Saturday before Easter, and, while my kids enjoyed it, it always felt a little forced to me.  I didn’t feel like celebrating.  I wanted to stay home, and stay in.  Be quiet.  It was like I was waiting for something.  It finally dawned on me.  On that Saturday, it was like someone had died.

If we do Lent and Holy Week right, by Holy Saturday, we are tired.  We are weary from all the services and the planning and the working.  Our time of spiritual emptying, of fasting, is drawing to a close.  It’s the last day of Lent, and we are ready to give up what we have given up.  We are closer on this day to name our need for God than we’ve been at any time.  Maybe “holy” is appropriate.  It’s holy to wait in hope.  It’s holy to admit we are spent and weary.  It’s holy to grieve, and it’s holy to long for something different, for new life.

Between the cross and the empty tomb is where we live our lives.  And because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, all our days, even the empty ones and dark ones, are graced by his presence.  We may not be able to see it.  We may be weary or stricken with our pain and grief.  But beneath and in all of that, God is at work preparing us for the gift of new life in Jesus.  Today is Saturday, but Sunday’s coming.

Holy God, you work in us in ways we cannot see and know, to make us ready to receive with joy the salvation you offer in your son Jesus.  Help us to wait with hope, and strengthen our faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Living Water for a Thirsting World
Rev. Janet Chilcote        

Read John 19:28-30.        

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.

One of the first phrases I learned in the Shona language of Zimbabwe,” ndipe mvura”(dee-pay mm-voo-rah) was taught to me by toddlers at the Babyfold Orphanage at Old Mutare Mission where I served for 2 years as a UM missionary . This home to 40 infants and toddlers was one of the few places in the country able to care for babies found abandoned or whose mothers died in childbirth. When I entered the courtyard of the Babyfold, I was instantly surrounded by a swarm of little ones holding up tiny cups, or broken bits of toys and crying out “Ndipe mvura!!” “Give me water!!” You see, with the few staff and many children, they were only given a drink at the set feeding times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But sitting or playing in the hot African sun, the children were perpetually thirsty. I could spend the whole day simply standing by the sink, filling cup after cup of water and giving it to eager little hands that received the precious gift with great joy! It was very little for me, but for them, it was extraordinary when someone heard their cry “ndipe mvura” and provided the cool, refreshing drink.

Water is life, and by his entering into human form, Jesus, too, became vulnerable to the experience of thirst and the physical need for water to survive. We recall his request for water from the Samaritan women at the well, in the hot midday sun in John 4: 7.  And he alone could offer her the source of “living water” that would never run dry or cause thirst again, and she begged for it!

So as Jesus hung on the cross, hour after hour, he fully experienced all the pain, and agony of our human condition. But as to His physical suffering, he spoke only this  “I am thirsty” . From birth to death, the ultimate, the most basic human need- water.   As a nurse having worked with dying persons, I know that thirst is indeed a terrible suffering for those unable to drink. And in those two words, Jesus revealed his empathetic connection to all people who suffer thirst- to orphans in Africa, to the sick and dying, to farmers standing in drought ravaged fields, to women walking miles to fill buckets of muddy, brackish water.

“I thirst” is also an invitation to the act of hospitality, so important in the Middle Eastern culture- to compassionately offer food and water to anyone in need. Indeed, Jesus says in Matthew 10:42 that anyone who offers” even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones” will not lose their reward. So imagine the pain of Jesus, being denied even the simplest act of human care and kindness and offered sour wine instead.

Recalling the woman at the well, I’m reminded also of spiritual thirst.  I believe the thirsting Jesus on the cross, at the well, and today is the same Jesus thirsting- thirsting, longing deep, deep down to draw all people to Him. He thirsts to provide the life-giving spiritual water that alone satisfies and nourishes our souls and gives real life. He longs to quench our thirst and fill us with His life-giving Spirit .And His parting words from the cross call us to meditate today on our own soul thirsting. 

Where are you parched and dry?  Where have you become de-hydrated, withered and in need of fresh watering for your souls. Look around you? Where is the thirsting Jesus in your home, neighborhood or workplace? The one whose eyes long for a look of compassion or a gift of love, and whose empty hands reach out with a cry of “Ndipe mvura” …

Prayer: O Thirsting Jesus, we cannot tell you how thankful we are that you came to earth for us and loved us enough, even to die in agony and thirst for our sakes. Lord, fill us today with your life-giving water; revive our dried, brittle souls!  Use us, Lord as your water carriers- living water wellsprings that splash on and refresh others with our compassion, care and kindness. May we become more like Jesus, for Jesus’ sake!  Amen.

Maundy Thursday

Jesus washes the disciples feet.

John 13, selected verses

     Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

    He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 

     Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand."  

    Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." 

     Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me."      

     Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!"

     Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."

      After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."

     "Little children, I am with you only a little longer.  I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

     We call this day Maundy Thursday.  Maundy comes from the Latin word, mandatum, referring to the new commandment Jesus gave his disciples the last night he spent with them before his crucifixion. 

     Jesus knew this was his last night with these special friends, that one of them would betray him, another would deny that he knew him, and most would run and hide.  Jesus had spent most of three years with these twelve men, and must surely have wondered if they were ever going to “get it.”  He didn’t spend these last hours telling them to take notes of last-minute instructions and reminders of things to be sure they did once he was gone. 

     Jesus taught that night by modeling love and humility.  In the first verses of this passage, we are told two important things: that Jesus knew that his earthly ministry was coming to an end, and that he loved his people.  Before the meal, Jesus knelt down and washed the feet of each of his disciples.  Not just a few of them – all of them, even Judas who would betray him, and Peter who would deny knowing him three times before the next morning.  What wondrous love is this!

     Once Jesus finished washing the feet of all the disciples, he clearly explained what he had done and what their faithful response to this act should be .  You should wash one another’s feet... Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways.  Everyone will know you as my followers if you demonstrate your love to others (The Voice Bible).

     The call for the disciples that night was to fully accept Jesus’ gesture of love and to be shaped by that love. Using Jesus as our example, our call is to love one another with no limits, no boundaries, no restrictions.  Jesus does not ask us to follow him by giving up our lives, but by giving away our lives.  To love as Jesus loves is to live a life fully shaped by a love whose expression brings us in closer relationship with Jesus, with God, and with one another.  

Loving God,

You sent your only Son, Jesus, to show us your great love for us.  
Help us to love others as you love us, 
     to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ,

so that all those who see the way we live will know that we follow Jesus.

Amen.

Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

HOLY WEEK

Holy is the week...

Holy, consecrated, belonging to God...

We move from hosannas to horror 

     with the predictable ease 

          of those who know not what they do.

Our hosannas sung, 

     our palms waved, 

let us go with passion into this week.

It is a time to curse fig trees that do not yield fruit.

It is a time to cleanse the temples of any blasphemy.

It is a time to greet Jesus as the Lord's Anointed One,  

    to lavishly break our alabaster 

    and pour perfume out for him 

          without counting the cost.

It is a time for preparation...

The time to give thanks and break bread is upon us.

The time to give thanks and drink of the cup is imminent.

Eat, drink, remember:

On this night of nights, each one must ask, 

     as we dip our bread in the wine, 

          "Is it I?"

And on that darkest of days, each of us must stand 

    beneath the tree 

and watch the dying 

     if we are to be there 

when the stone is rolled away.

The only road to Easter morning 

     is through the unrelenting shadows of that Friday. 

Only then will the alleluias be sung;  

     only then will the dancing begin.

                                                 by Ann Weems, Kneeling in Jerusalem

Matthew 21

When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anybody says anything to you, say that the Lord needs it.” He sent them off right away. Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.

Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Calls For Allegiance John van de Laar

Lord Jesus Christ, whose greatest moments of triumph happen on the back of a donkey's foal and nailed to a bloody cross, We gather to prepare the way for You in our lives and in our world. There are so many people and things that call for our allegiance so many kings seeking to rule over us. But, You ride into our experience as another kind of King a serving, humble and challenging King who calls us not to slavery, but friendship. There are so many things that seek our energy and resources         for their own sakes so many Kingdoms seeking our souls for their own glory. But, You ride into our experience heralding another kind of Kingdom a Kingdom where the least are the greatest, where the meek inherit the earth and where children are the best example of citizenship. a Kingdom which seeks to bring life, not drain it. There are so many things that draw our attention. So many realities that seek our faith and assent. But, You ride into our experience revealing another kind of reality a reality where death does not have the last word. a reality where pride, selfishness and evil are defeated by love and self-giving. a reality which does not parade itself for all to see, but fills every moment, every situation and every thing with life, while waiting for us to discover it. And so, we cry, from our hearts Hosanna, Save us. Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. Amen.

March 30, 2015

Dr. Paul Chilcote

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!                         (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

God illuminates the soul with the gift of faith. God restores sight to the blind and rescues those who dwell in darkness. Those who entrust their lives to God through Christ by faith pray for all the fullness of God in their lives. The stanza below from one of Charles Wesley’s “redemption hymns” celebrates this portrait of life in Christ and draws us ever upward to the amazing gift of faith working through love. Through the gift of faith, God establishes a new creation.

The gift unspeakable impart,

Command the light of faith to shine,

To shine in my dark drooping heart,

And fill me with the life divine;

Now bid the new creation be,

O God, let there be faith in me!

Wesley paints masterful word pictures and draws out the connection between redemption and creation in the biblical narrative, playing with the image of light. In creation, God sings, “Let there be light.” In redemption, God commands “the light of faith to shine.” In the great drama of redemption, creation and new creation are intimately connected with each other. Each of us prays: “Now bid the new creation be, O God, let there be faith in me!”

Because of the redemptive work of the Triune God, grace flows to all people, in the same way that light shines on everyone. God excludes no one from this offer of relationship. God’s grace, therefore, is “for me.” Because Jesus died for all, he died for me! But St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians mitigate against any exclusively subjective, individualistic, or sentimental view of redemption. Anticipating more recent English translations of the Bible, Wesley’s lyrical paraphrase suggests “If anyone is in Christ—new creation!” Through cross and resurrection, God births a whole new cosmic order that revolves around his pre-eminent act of love in Christ.

Prayer: Creating God, shine the light of faith into my heart, recreate me, and restore in me the image of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

March 29, 2015

by Lorri Givens

John 12:12-16

The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
    the King of Israel!”

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:

“Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.
Look, your king is coming,
    sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.

In January of 2009, I was blessed to be able to travel to the Holy Land with my father.  What an amazing trip it was to walk where Jesus walked and see so many historic sites mentioned in the Bible.  The scripture above speaks of the events on Palm Sunday.  Even today, thousands of people from all over the world flock to the Holy Land to celebrate in this tremendous spiritual experience. 

More than 150,000 Christian pilgrims from many denominations, cultures and countries all unite to recall that first Palm Sunday.  This celebration begins with prayer services at Bethpage and continues the tremendously hilly journey across the Mount of Olives, down through the Garden of Gethsemane, passing through the Kedron Valley and through the old walled city of Jerusalem. The walk concludes at the Pool of Bethesda.  Visualize thousands of people dressed in their native dress, waving palm branches all singing their faith to the same melody, but in many different languages!

Jesus knew that this day was just a prelude of what was to come.  Within a matter of days the crowd went from “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” to “Crucify Him!” 

Our heavenly Father gave his only Son to die for us for our sins.  It really makes me stop and wonder what a tremendous sacrifice that was!  This Easter season, let’s stop and be grateful for our gift of life.  God has given us the ability to go and share with others his news, the Good News!  Go forth and share the love of Christ to others in everything we do.  Now that is worth shouting Hosanna!