Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Tonight, of all nights of the year, our human shortcomings and failings come sharply into focus. The story of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion is a story of emotions, frustrations, anxieties, and intrigue. Without our knowledge of the “rest of the story” which is to be commemorated over the next two days, we could easily fall into a mood of hopelessness and despair.

These, all too human, shortcomings are shown to us from the very beginning in the passion story with the emotion of frustration. There was frustration deeply felt by one of the insiders – the close circle of Jesus’ twelve most trusted followers. One of the current theories about this frustration is based on the premise the Judas believed Jesus to be the promised Messiah but was expecting Jesus to lead an overthrow of the hated Roman occupiers and give the Jewish people their physical freedom. “Freedom from oppression, at last.” That had been his hope as the party followed in joyful procession through the gates into Jerusalem for that final Passover week. Jesus though had refused to be drawn into the fight. Jesus had continued to teach about the personal responsibilities toward God. Jesus had done nothing to defend himself as the powers of Temple and the Romans began to build. Judas, by bringing the soldiers, police, priests and the Pharisees to the garden to find his teacher and fellow disciples; was attempting to force Jesus to unleash his power against them.  But Judas, as we still often do, initiated actions and unleashed forces that he could not control. The results were not what he had anticipated.

We also read, as events unfolded, of the impetuous use of force. In the excitement of the moment while Jesus was found and was being arrested in the garden, Peter, another of the insiders, attacked the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear. This quickness to act boldly, emotionally and unthinkingly was soon replaced by fear as Peter waited, unaccompanied and uncertain, in the courtyard of the high priest as his leader and mentor was being interrogated. In fact, we are told, Peter became so wrapped up in his own protection and safety that he forgot his recent and most ardent pledge “never to desert Jesus”. He denied knowing him not only once but three times in quick succession while still in Jesus’ physical proximity.

The disposition of the large crowd gathered in Jerusalem for the pilgrimage and festival also was volatile. Throughout this week we have read how the very people who triumphantly and expectantly lead Jesus into the city walls while waving palm branches had been influenced and swayed so the general temper became one instead of uncontrolled rage and antagonism. Shouts of praise, “Hosanna, Hosanna”, had been turned to ferocious calls for violence, “Away with Him, Crucify Him”, through the manipulations of Jesus’ powerful enemies.

This day, in particular, we take a dispassionate and thorough look at human motivation. We look at intrigue and political manipulation. The religious leaders were protective of their power and domination. We can understand easily, they wanted to eliminate the teachings of Jesus which challenged their control of access to God. They, too, unleashed forces over which they can not maintain control. They wanted Jesus eliminated but were forbidden to kill him. They manipulated Pilate, who was politically insecure, to twist the Roman military might, (the Roman military might they so much feared and despised) to perform the physical violence they claimed to oppose.

We can, also, clearly see disregard for human suffering in the actions of the Roman soldiers. They closed their eyes to the effects of their practices of scourging, ridiculing, mocking and crucifying their Hebrew subjects. As they lounged in the presence of the physical pain they gambled for the personal effects – even the clothing of the very ones they were killing.

The indecisive emotions and the self-centeredness of all these Biblical figures are, after all, simply evidence of their humanity. As cruel as we understand these actions to be, they are representative of the common human condition. We, to this very day, can see the same basic passions and self-centered behaviors. We, to this very day, can witness the same powerful political manipulations in the world.

Tonight of all nights of the year our human shortcomings and failings come sharply into focus.   Without our knowledge of the “rest of the story” to be played out over the next few days, we could easily fall into a mood of hopelessness and despair.

But now it is time to recognize the “rest of the story”. At the core of our Holy Week story stands Jesus, un-intimidated, always compassionate, completely true to his nature and purpose.

From the initial entry of the police, priests and Pharisees into the garden at Kindron Valley , Jesus remained firm. Understanding that their purpose was to harm him, He did not try to escape or to hide but instead boldly stated, “I told you that am the one. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” Jesus remained steadfast.

While being interrogated by the high priest about his teachings, he responded, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have said nothing in secret. Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” Jesus remained unwavering.

While being questioned by Pilate (the representative of worldly authority), Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. You are the ones that say that I am a King.” Jesus remained resolute.

Pilate continued to pressure him and expressed his authority for making “life or death” decisions. Jesus once again responded, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above.” Jesus remained unfaltering.

Later, while cruelly suffering bodily on the cross, Jesus spoke to his mother and to his beloved disciple, “Woman, here is your son.” “Here is your mother.” Jesus remained faithful.

Finally, “When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘it is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  Jesus remained firmly committed.

Through it all, Jesus remained firmly committed.

“But Jesus was different,” one might say. The answer to that is, “Yes, of course. But Jesus was also the same as his contemporaries and Jesus was also the same as we are.” We are taught, and I firmly believe that Jesus was not shielded from the human condition. I believe that he experienced completely the pain and humiliation of his death - just as we would experience that pain.

And yet, Jesus was different. The divine combined incomprehensibility with the human. Yes, combined with the clear purpose to show us what is possible; God’s invincible Love residing in fragile, vulnerable human bodies.  It is possible then for us to be true to ourselves, to remain unwavering, faithful, resolute and committed even in the most difficult of times.

The core of this message is that from the very foundation of time there has been in the heart of God one great purpose: to redeem us. God’s purpose has ever been to bring us out of faltering self-centeredness and despair; and turn us toward spiritual fellowship and fulfillment. From the very foundations of time God knew that we would often pursue the wrong avenues, God knew that we would also too often hurt one another. Yet, God loved us and continues loves us so much that He is willing to receive the hurt. Jesus bore on his own body the stripes of the whips, the punctures of the thorns, and the print of the nails. He absorbed in his body the sharp point of the spear and the taunts of the tormentors.

Tonight of all nights of the year our human shortcomings and failings come sharply into focus.   Without our knowledge of the “rest of the story” to be played out over the next few days, we could easily fall into a mood of hopelessness and despair.

Except:

Understand how much I love you!!

I sent my Son to show you love

To let you see love

Hear love

Touch love

Taste love

Feel love

I sent Him to you

I let Him live, die and brought Him back to life

To show you the depth of my love

My forgiveness

To teach you the meaning of my

Grace.

My grace is ---

Peace for the anxious

Forgiveness for the guilty

Love for the hated

Hope for the hopeless

Sight for the blind

Faith for the doubting

Healing for the injured

Comfort for the afflicted

Joy for the sorrowful

Life for the dying

Rest for the weary.

Amen