The week leading up to Easter is often referred to as the Passion Week. I love this title for all the instruction and emotion packed into it. The word passion literally means to suffer. As I read through Luke’s account of Jesus’ Passion this morning, I found Jesus’ suffering that last week undeniable, beautiful, and overwhelming.
Undeniable also was my intense conviction that I have made little of Jesus’ suffering- in my head, in my conversation, in my heart. I’m part of a church that speaks the Gospel daily to each other in small and large community gatherings. While I love the commitment to the most central aspect of our faith and life, I’ve let the repetition dull my response. As with familiar news stories, I tune out when the information is not new. “Got it,” I lazily think, thus avoiding the work of listening and processing. Jesus suffered much so we could have abundant life. I don't know about you, but I for one need to meditate on this a bit. This Passion Week, I refuse to let “Yeah, I know” or “Got it” be my response. Passion prompts a passionate response.
Jesus suffered…
Betrayal
Trickery
Mocking
Alienation
Abandonment
Loneliness
Incarceration
Injustice
Beatings
Asphyxiation
Death
So that we could be…
Redeemed
Secure
Reconciled
Free
Restored
Forgiven
Instruments
New
Ambassadors
Generous
Purposed
God, help us to remember who you are, what you've done, and who you've made us this Passion Week.
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