Sabbath rest

Mark 15:42-47

The Burial of Jesus

When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Joseph of Arimathea

Waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God

offered what he had

- an empty tomb.

He wrapped the body in a linen cloth

sealed the tomb

and continued to wait.

Did he have the slightest inkling

of how God would usher in the kingdom?

Or were his actions those of a defeated hope?

Joseph of Arimathea

by doing what he could

and giving what he had

unwittingly,played a part

in the greatest story ever told.

But first....sabbath rest.

Prayer

God may we be willing to do what we can and to give what we have, especially when we cannot imagine the outcome. For your kingdom.

Nine o'clock in the morning

Mark 15:25-27

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.

The day started early

Forced to carry the instrument of torture

through streets thronged with revellers,

some sporting post Passover hangovers

some just winding their way home

some heading to jobs that would not wait

And others who knew a good spectacle was promised

By nine o'clock, the excitement was over

the procession had stopped

And all that remained

was the sorry business of dying.

Three criminals

hoisted up as a warning to others

Left to die

as the party moved on.

Prayer

God, may we not move on too quickly to the next thing but stay awhile by your cross today.

Betrayal

Mark 14:17-19

When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?”

One  of you will betray me...

Surely not I, Lord?

Surely not I?

Betrayal lives in us

Betrayal lives

deep in the recesses

of all we keep hidden

Betrayal lives in us

when we take the easy option

and settle for a quiet life

Betrayal lives in us

when we refuse to speak up

and let our voice be heard

Betrayal lives in us...

And Christ on his way to the cross

embraces our betrayal

simply placing it

within the sphere

of forgiveness 

and grace

that was God's response

to hatred and evil.

One  of you will betray me...

Surely not I, Lord?

Surely not I?

Prayer

God, may we accept that betrayal lives in us along with the forgiveness found in your response to evil.

Denial

Mark 14:66-68

Peter Denies Jesus

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed.

Jesus was under no illusions

He knew how fickle we can be

The lengths we will go

to save ourselves

consequences be damned.

He knew

and yet he continued

Continues

To hold out

Love

Forgiveness

Grace

No illusions

Just arms opened wide

to embrace.

Prayer

God, as we recognise our many failings, may we remember our beloved status. Known and loved by you.

Desertion

Mark 14:50

All of them deserted him and fled.

Deserted

Left alone

with those who sought to harm him

those who came for him

mob handed.

Suddenly the garden,

a place of retreat

became a place 

of sinister shadows

filled with malevolent soldiers 

and guards

and frightened friends

cowering in the darkness.

And when we imagine

that we would have stuck around

stood our ground

not melted into the darkness

we are reminded

that it was for us

and others like us

that Jesus endured

alone in the garden.

And we too 

are included in that statement

All of them deserted him and fled.

Prayer

God when we are tempted to trumpet our loyalty and our bravery, confront us with our willingness to be with the crowd and even your friends who deserted you. And, God, forgive us.

In remembrance...

Mark 14:3-9

The Anointing at Bethany

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

What she has done ...

Gifting her precious ointment

Sensuously pouring it on Jesus' head

Not minding those

with whom he dined

Overcoming her fear

with love so pure

it could not be denied

Stepping into the line of fire

because it was now or never

will be told...

Told with scorn

Told with wonder

Told with derision

Told with awe

Embellished

Diminished

Repeated in myriad ways

in remembrance of her...

Who did this

in memory of him.

Prayer

God, just for a moment give us the audacity to do as this woman did,

taking risks to show our love. Stepping out of line and not counting the cost.

Beyond words

Mark 13:10-11

And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

So many ways to witness

Living

Working

Words

Action

Proclaiming good news

to all nations

On the midst of suffering

witnessing love.

Prayer

God, in all things, may we proclaim the good news, in and out of love.