I can’t remember anyone ever telling me this when I was a child (perhaps growing up in the church, I just intuited it), but I remember having the strong sense that one of the tasks of Holy Week was to reflect on all that Jesus experienced in his last days—Good Friday, especially. When I was young, that reflection focused on the physical suffering of Jesus, limited as my understanding was of that kind of suffering at that age (and I’m not sure that I fully understand all of the horrors of crucifixion at my current age, either). However, as I have grown older, I more appreciate the mental and spiritual sufferings of Jesus in those last days. Perhaps it’s because I’ve experienced some of those elements as an adult, but I better understand the aspects of betrayal, desertion, rejection, and humiliation, especially at the hands of those closest to him.
In mind, body, and spirit, Jesus suffered greatly in those last days. Most times, suffering in this world strikes us as being the cruel and senseless thing that it is, and countless numbers of people over the ages have suffered. None of that suffering seems to have had any redeeming value. Yet, the sufferings of Jesus had a purpose to them. Theologians through the ages have used different language to bring the point across, I’ve always been drawn to Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:19a, “That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself.” I may not always understand how that reconciliation happens, but I believe it does happen.
And that suffering was transformed into reconciliation with God and a shattering of the bonds of death, which is something I’m more keenly aware of these days. I do appreciate the impact of Easter with each additional year of life. Easter is a celebration of the promise of resurrection and the making of all things new. God’s plans for us and for the world cannot be stopped, not even by death.
May Holy Week and the celebration of Easter which follows be a time of greater understanding and spiritual renewal for each of you.
Shalom aleichem—Peace be with you.
Rev. Jim Hoppert