Hope of Glory
Week 4
5th word: I Thirst
The essence of what Meacham talks about in his reflection on Jesus’ words “I thirst” point to our own thirst for God. I tend to think that oftentimes we don’t even know what we are thirsting for, or that we can turn to God for that satisfaction. I know that in everyday life, I often turn to everything but God to satisfy my thirst. Can you relate? Distractions abound. I can numb my neediness in so many ways. But Meacham’s connection to Communion reminds us that we can and should turn to God when we thirst. One of the great mysteries of this life is that sometimes it takes desperation to remember to turn to God. I experienced this recently during my cancer journey. I struggled a lot with anxiety and depression and in my most desperate moments the words “help me God” would come out of my mouth, sometimes audibly. I wish that I could say I turned to God all the time like this. I wonder what is it that keeps me/you/us from turning to God for all of our thirst and needs? Why is it so difficult? What would it be like to turn to God more readily? What would help me to do that?
6:th word: It is finished
These words lead Meacham to ponder…what is finished here? He seems to spend the chapter elucidating on how nothing is finished! Meacham seems to make some interesting leaps at times. He uses most of the chapter to discuss heaven and hell. I like his quote from N.T. Wright where he says there is God space and our space and “’the two overlap and interlock’” (p. 88). Do you agree? What do you think this means? Where do you see evidence of this?
Ironically, Meacham ends the chapter on the words “It is finished” by basically talking about doing the unfinished work of God. “We must therefore act on the knowledge we do have, and we know we’ve been told to love God totally and to love one another as ourselves” (p. 90). Love God; love people. These were the words a youth pastor preached to us at a retreat in my teenage years that have always stuck with me as the most simple way to sum up what God calls us to do. This is the way that we participate in the ever-unfolding realm of God that is coming into the world more and more until perhaps one day it is finished. What does it mean for you to love God and love people? Is there something you can do today, this week to love God and love people in a new or deeper or more intentional way? For this is the work at hand.
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Hope of Glory
Week 3
Third Word: "Woman, behold they son!" "Behold thy mother!"
The focus on this word from Jesus begins wholly focused outward. For someone going through the pain and agony that he was going through, it is amazing to see Jesus still focused on others... And yet, it fits perfectly with the overall teachings of his ministry. Even as he approaches death, Jesus still "fixes his eyes not inwardly, but outwardly" making sure that his mother will be cared for after he is gone. This is nothing new, he has been calling for us to love, help, and lift up others his whole life, and here he is modeling that again at a time of immense grief for his mother and followers. Meacham interprets this moment as a profound expression of love and responsibility, highlighting the importance of community and mutual support among believers.
Any yet, Meachum also invites us to see that the outward focus on others does not have to end there, but can lead us to a better understanding of the cross, to see both the "temporal and the transcendent". Loving and caring for others is not only something good for the world, but can also help us to grow closed to our own faith, understand more fully the God of all creation.
Fourth Word: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
This is perhaps the word that is most talked about, most questioned, most cited, of them all. Meachum raises some of these questions in this chapter: Didn't Jesus tell others what was going to happen to him? He seemed to know the plan in advance, why is he questioning God here? If he knew the resurrection lay ahead, where was this fear coming from?
I wish Meachum would answer this question for us, but the reality is, of course, we just don't know. What we do find in this Jesus is a profound depth to his human side. A side that all of us can relate to and find solace in. Even Jesus wept. Even Jesus felt abandoned by God. Even Jesus asked for the cup to pass him by. When we have feelings like this in life, we find in scripture a relatable, sympathetic, and approachable savior who knows our pain, has felt our suffering, and offers us a chance to draw closer to the cross.
Psalm 22, which Jesus is quoting, begins with this cry of being forsaken, but it ends with deliverance. This is our journey as well, and Jesus invites us to travel with him.
Peace,
David
Hope of Glory
Week 2
Reflections on the Second Word: “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.”
Hello Knox Friends,
I’m appreciating the “Hope of Glory” and I hope you’re finding it meaningful for your own Lenten journey too.
Focus on the meaning of the cross and Jesus’ death upon it can sometimes, in my experience, overshadow the meaning of God’s salvation project found in Jesus’ earthly life and resurrection. On the one hand, one can get caught up in the arguments of the several theories of the crucifixion and what it did or had to accomplish for humankind. On the other hand, one can get caught up ensuring “right” belief about the cross – primarily, that Jesus died to save us sinners, who are otherwise unsavable, from an eternal fiery hell. This stance can lead to being so future minded that one fails to follow Jesus in the here and now by living and loving as he did, serving to alleviate the suffering of others and to care for creation.
So, I give thanks for Meacham’s reflections on the Last Words, offering an opportunity to set aside theories and to draw near to Jesus in his suffering and final hours of ministry, to discover God’s truth, while being mindful of Lent’s call to help those in need, to fast from that which detracts from intimacy with God, and to self-examination, asking, “How am I doing in my discipleship of Jesus Christ?”
Here are some of my reflections on the Second Word, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.”
- These words bear witness to Jesus’ mission from God to alleviate suffering, to share God’s grace and love, to guide humankind into the life God created us for – an abundant life.
- This Second Word is found in Luke 23:43. A gospel theme especially found in Luke is the call to repentance – to change one’s heart and life – a focus of Lent.
- Read more of Luke 23 for context. One of the convicted insurgents to his side saw Jesus for who he was – and an innocent man full of grace and truth. He brought his heart and mind fully to this Reality, and then made a humble plea, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
- Stay with this insurgent for a moment. Using your imagination, consider what he was feeling when he came to Jesus’ defense, and then when he confessed his belief about Jesus.
- In that moment nearing his own death, consider the insurgent’s request of Jesus – “Jesus, remember me….” Imagine his agony in body, mind, spirit. Was he desperate? What was his hope in those last hours or minutes of his life?
- Now, turn your attention to Jesus. Imagine what Jesus was feeling as he heard the man’s plea. Consider the immediacy of Jesus’ reply. Did Jesus ask anything of the man? What does this exchange between Jesus and this man reveal to you about humankind? About yourself? About God? About God’s Realm?
- How did Jesus’ promise land on the confessing insurgent? What gifts did that promise contain for the man?
- Meacham names this scene for what it is – an act of merciful forgiveness. Jesus’ words not only offered the assurance of a new life to come, but also the assurance of new life in that moment – an invitation to not regret the past nor fear the future.
- Where in your own life do you long for assurance of God’s grace and forgiveness? Of new life? Of life abundant? Do you feel you need to earn these things?
- Meacham points out that Jesus’ promise to the insurgent is “the gift of everything.” The insurgent receives because he has the courage and humility to ask. Do you have the courage and humility to make the same plea?
- Imagine sitting with Jesus now, as the one sent to show us how God wants to be with us. Now, imagine Jesus looking into your eyes with loving kindness and share with him your deepest desire, just as the insurgent did. Hear Jesus response, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.” Savor those words, this moment. What do they mean to you? What do you notice?
Go in peace,
Jana