Out of suffering comes glory!

REFLECTION:

Wednesday, April 17. 2019

Out of suffering comes glory! This week is Holy Week when we

remember Jesus’ passion and love for his followers and through the ages those who have come to believe that he is the Son of God, Alpha and Omega, the Resurrection and the Life and all of the other names of endearment and titles that Jesus.

                This Holy Week we remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem to the shouts of Hosanna and yet we also remember crowds of some of the same people and many others also shouting, Crucify. As we see Jesus’ facing trials with Pontius Pilate, seeing Herod and Pilate unsure of what to do with him, Pilate lets the crowd decide. Crucify him.

                Crucifixion was considered the worst form of capital punishment known to humanity as those who were sentenced to death would linger on the cross for hours waiting for the pain and agony to stop.

                The cross was a tool by which people who committed crimes were killed. They were nailed high on these crosses and could be seen for miles around. Those who died on the cross suffered not just beatings, and whippings prior to be nailed to the crossbeams but ultimately suffocation as their bodies slumped forward cutting off the ability to breathe. Crucifixion was the ultimately penalty of that time and for Jesus to die this way with was cruel and beyond the punishment his so- called crime called for. Yet what is amazing that today people see crosses all over—Christian churches and people’s jewellery. The reason that the cross is such an important Christian symbol is because there is glory and praise offered to God, His Son Jesus and the Spirit because there is a relationship between glory and suffering.

                Jesus suffered on the cross and yet there is glory because he rose from death. The cross symbolized the place where he died; but the empty cross means that death could not hold him. There is life after death and it is the promise of God that we will one day experience his glory in his presence when our life on earth is complete.

                As we look to the cross upon which Jesus died, yes he did suffer and was in pain and agony. But the important thing about the Easter story is because he rose from death. The cross was the tool by which people tried to kill him, yet he conquered death. The cross is empty and is now seen as a symbol of hope. A symbol of life everlasting.

Reflection:

                Have you ever thought how the cross becomes a symbol of faith, affirmation and joy? What does Jesus’ suffering and death mean as we prepare to honour him in death and praise him on Easter morning?

PRAYER

God of love and life we praise you for your Gift to us in Jesus Christ, who through his passion and love showed us the extent of his mercy. By his death and resurrection we are saved and may receive the gift and hope of eternal life. Thank you God. Amen.