In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus waits with his disciples – Judas, who will betray him, and Peter, who will deny him, are in the scene. Judas brought the soldiers and the police.
In a little while, we will be in a garden again. Jesus will be surrounded by friends, not enemies. Joseph obtains the body; Nicodemus brings spices. They will lay his body to rest in a garden tomb. In between— in between is a long time.
The interrogation by the religious authorities,
the interrogation by the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate,
the public execution at the Place of the Skull, Golgotha, where they crucified him.
It is hard to see a plan for salvation in this: the suffering of Jesus, the servant of God.
Yet it is in this moment of darkness that Jesus triumphs over death.
It is finished. It is complete. It is accomplished.
God has completed his plan of salvation in Jesus at this moment. There is the glory. There is the triumph.
God has turned the world’s violence against itself, has used it to bring about the world’s salvation.
Trampling down death by death, Jesus has achieved his victory.
It is not defeat. It is the end – but it is the beginning of life for us.
+
A Garden (John 18:1-12)
The Courtyard of the High Priest (18:13-27)
Pilate's Headquarters (18:28-19:16)
The Place of the Skull (19:17-30)
A Garden (19:31-42)
+
No comments:
Post a Comment