“Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33 they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” – Luke 18:31-33
Peace be with you! I mean it! I don’t write these words or ever say them frivolously… as for some… these simple words are powerfully needed… as in something’s missing… as in they know… something’s awry… as in the mystery of life… now too, too fragmented… so, to hear the words… ‘peace be with you…’ and may they BE the blessing you oh so need to hear! OR … perhaps the words a friend of yours desires! Timing IS everything… some say…
The time of Lent has had its run… Holy Week is here front and center to show us who’s boss… and if timing is everything, then I recognize, too, the end of the March Madness in the NCAA basketball tourney has rolled over into April now giving fans a new champion! What a tourney for hoops purists! Bracket busters did their job in the first two rounds… lots of games-down-to-the-wire… and many have agonized (except, perhaps, the Vegas betters!) as there was only one #1 seed in the last weekend… Who knew it would turn out like this and maybe that’s why it’s ‘madness’ and as always… God knows who will win! So, I’m risking here some liturgical, evangelical ‘bracketology’ and picking my FINAL FOUR for Holy Week… with the crescendo known as THE GREAT THREE DAYS… but I need to add in a 4th… so, here are my Holy Week picks…
#2 Palm Sunday vs. #3 Good Friday
and
#1 Easter Sunday vs. #4 Maundy Thursday
I know this is a good bet! Palm Sunday brings the hope and humility of God as Jesus rides into Jerusalem to face the powers of the synagogue and the perennial presence of the Roman government. Good Friday wins. It’s an ugly dual. Some will mock. People will cry for sure. One soldier even changes sides!
Maundy Thursday serves up a whole new attitude as the Passover meal is transformed into the Lord’s Supper and yet the sacrifice of foot washing doesn’t hold up to the power of new life that comes from what is now Easter’s empty tomb! It seems like forever; but it all happens in a flash! Faith matters… and always worth the wait!
So, then we have the #1 vs. the #3… the power of evil vs. the power of God! Some scoff. Some cheer! Good Friday seems to have it won… gets out in front and darkness is all around and just when you think Good Friday gets the ‘W’… there’s a final breath… there’s an overtime… and another… and the diligent, over-powering grace and steady presence of the glory of God shows its stuff on the third day… and you knew it would happen… and …
EASTER WINS
And now… the risen Christ says to each of us… “peace be with you…” I mean it… let the world know… we have a champion forever!
The Rev. Dr. Brian K. Gigee is a long-time resident of Pearland, having pastored four churches over the last four decades in Texas and Louisiana. Read more following Brian’s blog ‘murmurings’ at briangigee.wordpress.com. Send comments and/or questions to godworks247365@gmail.com.
