Meditation 1 – Violence

The events of that first Easter that we will recount today are historically true. We have an eyewitness account.

John the disciple was there in the garden. He was there in the courtyard of the high priest. He was there at the cross.

Not only is the story historically true; it is relevant today for our world faces the same issues now as it did then. People still have to make the same choices.

People and societies have to make their choice about violence. We see some choose violence. The suicide bomber and terrorist choose violence. So do the school bully and the football hooligan. So does the violent husband or boyfriend.

We see many choosing violence in our world today. Peter chose to use violence. It was understandable in the situation he was faced with.

But Jesus rejected the way of violence. Jesus chose God’s way. He was willing to drink the cup that the father had given him.

Today, we see the reality that violence rarely solves anything. The principle of an eye for an eye ultimately leads to everyone going blind.

Jesus shows an alternative way. He refuses to respond to violence with violence. The only weapon Jesus wealds is the weapon of truth. Jesus is willing to take the path of suffering.

Jesus’ way is the way of truth and reconciliation. Jesus’ way is the way of love. Love for those close to us, love for our neighbour, and even love for our enemies.


Meditation 2 Human Failings

Often those who fail worst are those we would expect to succeed. It is that way in the story of Easter.

The Jewish religious leaders should have understood and done God’s will. They had the right ancestry they were descended from Abraham. They had the scriptures that were God’s message to mankind.

They had the temple, the place where God had appointed that he should be worshipped.

Yet when God sent his son to them, they rejected him and they rejected the truth that he brought.

We should beware of the pitfalls of religion. Jesus calls us to make him Lord. He challenges us to give him priority in our lives, to give him our worship and our love,
Taking a polite interest in him is not enough. Setting ourselves up as his judge or critic is sheer folly.

Someone else we should not have expected to fail is Peter. He was Jesus most ardent supporter, yet he denies his Lord 3 times.

We see in Peter the weakness of human nature. We see a man oblivious to his human limitations, confident of his devotion to his Lord and proud of his boast of loyalty.

But there are some things only Christ can do for us. Only he can live the perfect life. Only he can be the perfect sacrifice. Only he can bear away the sin of the world.

Prayer of confession and repentance.

Lord we confess the human guilt and sin that nailed Christ to the cross. And although it was long ago and far away, yet we know we share in that guilt. Our selfishness and sin and pride had to be atoned for, only Christ could take our sins.

We also pray for our western society so permeated by greed. We pray for those who see violence as the solution to the world’s ills. We pray Father forgive them, for they not what they do.

We pray with your people the church. Forgive the ways in which we deny you. Forgive us for the ways in which we mis-represent Jesus and his gospel of truth and grace.

In Jesus name we ask it.


Meditation3 – Truth

There is much deception in our world. Many have a vested interest in covering up the truth. Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth. The world refused to face the truth; it preferred instead to crucify Jesus. Pilate asked what is truth? But he did not have courage to wait for an answer.

Jesus said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life.’ He also said that through him we can know the truth, and the truth will set us free.

Jesus revealed the truth about God. He also revealed the way that men and women should live; both in relationship to God and in relationship to each other. He also revealed our failings and shortcomings.

For many, such truth was unacceptable. It is still unacceptable for many today and people will try to hide the truth about themselves..

But those who have been set free by the truth are called to testify to the truth. They are the light of the world. Jesus said ‘let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven’.

The light of truth continues to shine in the darkness. The darkness has never put it out and it never will.


Meditation 4 – The King

Jesus is a king. He acknowledged it to Pilate. Pilate acknowledged it. But the kingdom he established transcends all other kingdoms. The only crown he was given on earth was a crown of thorns.

Yet his kingdom endures, it stands and grows. It transcends all other kingdoms. It transcends earth and heaven itself.

Yet it is a kingdom of peace. It has no armies. It is made up of men and women, young and old who freely and willingly choose to belong to it.

It is made up of millions across our world who have seen and acknowledged the truth. It is made up of all who have acknowledged Jesus as Lord.

In one sense the event that took place on that Friday was the worst, most evil event that ever took place. Mankind had taken God’s son and crucified him.

Yet that terrible event was also central to God’s plan of redemption made at the foundation of the world. Christ came into the world to die on the cross.

Although the crucifixion was the ultimate in human sin, in God’s wisdom, it was also the ultimate in divine love. God so loved the world that he gave his only son.

He gave him to be our saviour. And he gave him to be our king.
So this day is not black Friday. This day is Good Friday.

Amen
 

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