Lent Reflections: Week 7 – The Way of Suffering

13 April by Rev Phil Gough, District Secretary for Ministry and Vocations

Reading: Luke 23 v. 1 – 25

Theme: Jesus before Pilate and Herod

Notes 

Today, the final Sunday in Lent, is Palm Sunday, when we focus on Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with the crowds cheering and hailing him as their Messiah-Saviour.

The reading set for our reflection today, however, moves us towards the end of the week, and Jesus’s encounters with the ruling leaders of the day, Pilate and Herod, following his arrest.

I wonder what you might notice in the telling of these encounters in Luke’s gospel.
The initial charge from the crowd (assembly) at the start of the passage includes, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar’. I’m sure Jesus had answered that people should pay their taxes to Caesar, but also render to God what’s God’s. A twisting of Jesus’s words and teaching.
Jesus is accused of ‘stirring up the people all over Judea by his teaching’.

Jesus is sent from Pilate to Herod, whose jurisdiction Galilee was in. Jesus remains silent and doesn’t respond to Herod’s goading, or demands for a miracle (I can’t help but see the scene portrayed by ‘Herod’s Song’ in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’), and Jesus endures scorn and mocking.

The scene with Pilate, on Jesus’s return, has him try to offer violent offender Barabbas to be crucified instead of Jesus, but that doesn’t work – they’d rather see Jesus killed and the jailed murderer freed. The crowds give up justifying their demands and now just cry even louder, ‘Crucify, crucify’.

This baying crowd is in stark contrast, of course, to the cheering, triumphal shouts on this day, Palm Sunday.

Wonder 

I wonder when you have been in crowds, perhaps in victory parades, or in demonstrations and been carried along by the excitement, joy and celebration? Or when you might have been part of nastier, crowds, and felt uncomfortable, vulnerable, afraid?

I wonder how we, as disciples, today, might be accused of seeking to ‘subvert the nation’, by living counter-culturally, and challenging norms and powers?

I wonder why Jesus remains so silent in the face of such aggression, injustice and a distortion of the truth?

Prayer 

PRAYER
God of peace, of calm,
of the still, small voice,
help me to silence the noise, the clamour, the baying, all around
and encounter you, servant-suffering God,
in the moment,
in both the joy and anguish,
both the celebration and the threat,
that I may truly know you
as you truly know me
and be embraced by your divine love.
AMEN.

(image by Malu Laker, on Unsplash)

14 April by Rev. Dr Caroline Wickens, Superintendent, Manchester Circuit

Reading: Heb 12 v 1 -3 

Theme: Run the race…cloud of witnesses…

Notes

What heroes of faith have shaped your growth as a Christian? The writer to the Hebrews has been listing the many men and women in the history of Israel whose faith allowed them to face danger and death rather than deny God. Then he suddenly switches from history to the here-and-now: all these past heroes are with us now, a cloud of witnesses cheering us on as we run our race. If this evokes images of an Olympic stadium, that’s exactly right! The Romans built huge venues for sporting competitions from chariot racing to foot races, and the hearers of Hebrews would have picked up the image at once.

And Jesus is among those watching the runners and cheering them on. A Roman stadium usually had strictly allocated seating for the various social groups. Most important of all was the podium, the place of honour for the emperor. The writer seems to imagine Jesus present on the podium, as the eyes of the racers turn to acknowledge his presence.

This highlights the paradox of following Jesus. He faced the death of the cross, ‘a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles’ (I Corinthians 1:23). Crucifixion, a punishment reserved for those who were not citizens of the Roman empire, was seen as a particularly shameful death. What is a crucified man doing in the place of honour in the stadium?

Crucified – but also glorified. Jesus passed through death and came into new life, in God’s triumphant vindication of the Son. On the podium, Jesus is present in glory as ‘pioneer and perfector’, the first to run this race and its first victor, now exalted to God’s right hand.

When the way of discipleship is hard, the writer to the Hebrews invites us to remember that we are surrounded by a cheering crowd of supporters, the greatest and most honoured of whom is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Wonder

• If you were making a list of ‘heroes of the faith’, who would be on it? Why?
• The reading instructs us to ‘lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely’. What do you need to lay aside in order to run the race of faith better?

Prayer

Empowering God, you challenge us to run the race of our lives towards the goal of life with you. Strengthen us as, day by day, we keep running onward; through your Holy Spirit, help us to find encouragement in the determination of those who have gone before us, and to keep our gaze focused on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith, in whose name we pray. Amen

15 April by Rev Caroline Ainger, Superintendent of Emmaus Circuit & Liverpool Plus Mission Area Lead

Reading: John 12:20-36

Theme: Jesus predicts his death

I write this reflection during the awards season. The BAFTAs, Brits, Grammys and Oscars have all been lavish events spotlighting the stars of the entertainment industry. But the glitz and the glamour, the fame and the fortune, the acclaim and the accolades, are a far cry from today’s reading from John’s Gospel with its themes of servanthood, suffering, sacrifice and self-giving love.

Chapter 12 is a pivotal chapter in John’s gospel. It acts as a bridge between Jesus’ ministry and the events leading up to his arrest, death, and resurrection. This chapter is rich in symbolism and theological depth, offering profound insights into Jesus’ identity, the nature of his mission, and the mixed response it elicits from those around him. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perform in preparation for his burial, but Judas objects to the extravagance of the gesture (12:1-7). Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem fulfils prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) and the crowds declare his kingship with shouts of ‘Hosanna’ (12:13), but their expectations of a conquering hero who will deliver them from the Roman Empire is at odds with the nature of Jesus and his mission.

Jesus has come to die and his death will be the source of new life. He uses the metaphor of a grain of wheat that must die to produce many seeds (John 12:24). Through suffering and death on a cross, Jesus will achieve God’s purposes, ‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself’ (John 12:32). This is not what is expected, ‘We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain for ever, so how can you say “The Son of Man must be lifted up?”’ (John 12:34). And it is not easy for Jesus, who says ‘Now my soul is troubled and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour?” (John 12:27) But Jesus will walk the way of suffering in obedience to God, and for God’s glory (John 12:28).

Wonder

In John 12:36 Jesus says, ‘Put your trust in the light while you have the light so that you may become children of light.’ How will you demonstrate your trust in Jesus today?

Prayer 

Through the love of God our Saviour

all will be well.

Free and changeless is his favour;

all, all is well.

Precious is the blood that healed us,

perfect is the grace that sealed us,

strong the hand stretched forth to shield us;

all must be well.

Though we pass through tribulation,

all will be well.

Christ has purchased full salvation,

all, all is well.

Happy still in God confiding,

fruitful, if in Christ abiding,

holy, through the Spirit’s guiding;

all must be well.

We expect a bright tomorrow;

all will be well.

Faith can sing through days of sorrow

all, all is well.

On our Father’s love relying,

Jesus, every need supplying,

then in living or in dying,

all must be well.

Words written by Mary Peters (1813-1856)

16 April by Rev Alan Bradley, Deputy Chair & Mission Area Lead for Greater Manchester Plus

Reading: John 13 v. 21 – 32

Theme: A betrayer predicted

As we read this passage today we are invited into the intimacy of Jesus presence. He has already washed his disciples feet, including Judas. He has invited them to follow his example to serve one another, including Judas – and now he is troubled in Spirit declaring that one of his closest friends is going to betray him, the disciples don’t know who but we know it is Judas.

We may wonder what motivated Judas to betray Jesus but we simply cannot be sure, however we do know that for some time he has been out of step with Jesus and his kingdom project, you may note the altercation in John 12.1-8, when Judas complains at Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume.

Here at the table is an opportunity for Judas to turn back, to go no further with the temptation in his heart and the seed of betrayal that has been growing in him. Indeed we have seen Peter get it wrong numerous times, even in the previous verses when he refused to let Jesus wash his feet, but always comes back, gets reinstated, receives Jesus grace.

In a heart breaking and emotional moment Jesus honours Judas, dipping his bread in the oil and giving it to him – a sign of intimacy, honour and grace. We always have the choice, and in this moment of tension Judas has the choice to turn back to Jesus, but instead tragically Judas chooses Satan. Satan is the Accuser, the Prosecutor and through Judas’s actions the battle is set, the Accuser will now throw everything at Jesus in order to see him fall. And as Judas steps out, it is night.

Wonder

1. I wonder why Judas chose to betray Jesus?

2. I wonder what temptations face us today?

3. If you have the opportunity to take Holy Communion, remember that in receiving the bread, Jesus is honouring you and saying how much he loves you.

Prayer

Gracious God, when we are tempted,

may we like the beloved disciple and stay close to Jesus.

Help us to seek your strength to overcome our temptations

and to walk in the way of Christ this day.

Knowing we are honoured and loved by you.

In the name of Christ. Amen.

17 April by Rev Katie Smith, Deputy Chair & Mission Area Lead for Greater Manchester Plus 

Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Theme: Proclaiming the Lord’s death

The Disney film, Encanto, is about a family who all have magical powers, but who are hiding a secret. In a particularly catchy number, we learn that they “don’t talk about Bruno.” As the film starts, Bruno has not been seen for several years and the family deal with the problems that caused the estrangement by brushing them away and refusing to discuss them.

We might have parts of our stories or those of our families that we prefer not to talk about, focussing on what seems good and praise-worthy rather than admitting what has been difficult and painful.

For the first followers of Jesus, the journey towards Jerusalem and to the cross was devastating. The death of Jesus on the cross was the opposite of their hopes and expectations. It could have been tempting as they preached the gospel to brush the awkward fact of God dying aside and focus on his teaching and miracles.

Today’s reading is the earliest written record we have of Holy Communion, from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Paul had clearly been taught about that last supper and the importance of remembering and even proclaiming Jesus’s death by the apostles.

Earlier in the same letter, Paul notes that the message of the cross seems ridiculous to those who don’t believe, but it is the saving power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18) The gospel turns the way of the world on its head.

We don’t follow a God who glosses over the hard stuff, but has shown us that even death can be used for glory and salvation, to bring hope and joy to us all.

If you share in a communion service this Maundy Thursday, remember that as we recall betrayal, denial and death, we know that Sunday is coming when we will sing Hallelujah to the risen King.

Prayer 

Christ our saviour, we thank you that you have shown us that when we walk the way of suffering, we walk with you, who has known our human life and all its pains. Help us to allow you to work through the hard parts of our lives to shape us into people who will proclaim your death and your love to those around us in word and deed. Amen

18 April by Revd Dr James Tebbutt, District Chair

Reading: Isaiah 52.13 – 53.12 

Theme: Suffering Servant – led like a lamb 

Prayer 

Father forgive us, for when we know, and for when we don’t know, what we do.

Jesus, thank you that you could be and go where we struggle to be or go, in our journeys, in our own or others’ needs, and in our lovelessness.

Spirit, help us in our spirits, bodies and minds to be Christ’s disciples, to care for the lost, and to carry each other’s burdens.

Thank you, and help us, we pray.  Amen.

19 April by Rev Sharon Read, Presbyter in Manchester Circuit & Lancashire Mission Area Lead

Reading: John 19:38-42

Theme: Jesus is buried, in the tomb

Notes

On this day, Jesus’ body rests in the tomb. The tomb provided for by Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph and Nicodemus had asked permission for Jesus’ body not to be left on the cross as was custom but to be placed in the tomb for burial which they did themselves. They were secret disciples because of their fear of the Jews. They were fulfilling the prophecy that we read in Isaiah in this act. The burial fulfilled the promise of Jesus’ prediction that he would be buried for three days so it needed to be fulfilled and to demonstrate that Jesus was truly dead – to be the proof of the coming resurrection.

On this day – all who followed Jesus were in darkness, the darkness that fell yesterday on Good Friday, The silence, quiet, fearful darkness of the death of Jesus Christ.  The disciples are devasted and hiding in fear. The body of Jesus was placed in a tomb, in a garden that no one had ever been laid in before.

In this tomb, the dark quiet tomb, Jesus was laid with guards watching.

Holy Saturday. The darkness and the fear of death in the air on the way of Resurrection.

Wonder

The disciples on this day was stuck in their Good Friday, waiting and watching and wondering awaiting to see if Jesus was to rise from the dead as He had predicted.

What might that Good Friday moment feel like for them? What broke that darkness and smashed open the darkness into light for their resurrection moment to come? Where are you this Holy Saturday? Are you fearful, surrounded by darkness, alone with the fear? Acknowledge this before God who hears your prayers and cries of your heart and ask that God would smash the darkness of Good Friday so tomorrow you can experience your own Resurrection moment with Jesus like Mary will, and the disciples.

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that this week as we have walked the way of the cross with Jesus and knowing that tomorrow we will celebrate His resurrection: we offer you this day and all that we are experiencing. May you break our darkness and sadness and fear so we can have our own resurrection moment with Jesus as we celebrate His Risen life tomorrow. Amen