Good Friday Service
April 10, 2009
The Reverend John B. Rogers
University Presbyterian Church
Tonight we have heard readings from all four New Testament gospel accounts. As with many other areas of Jesus’ ministry they each have unique ways of telling their angle of the story. At times it appears Matthew and Luke were sitting next to each other while at other times would seem like one was being led by the Spirit to see or hear something different. And so it is again with our story tonight where we are hearing about the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. By this time of their Friday night Joseph and the women had finished placing Jesus’ body in the tomb and now there is a Sabbath silence until 6:00 AM on Sunday morning. We hear nothing
until then. There must have been a depth in the silence of this night and the following day like none other. All kinds of thoughts about what next and what do we do now? Who will lead us and where will we go? In an Advent Spirit I am sure the words could have been heard in that upper room, “come, Lord Jesus.”
And so on the night of Sabbath-beginnings the disciples and the others created a space of rest and reflection. Images of the week and especially the preceding day fluttered over their minds eye. What do we make of these images as well as the feelings of loss and bewilderment? The meal, the handing over, the religious officials conspiring and questioning, Pilate’s questioning, soldiers mocking, spitting, beating, the voice of the crowd, the washing of hands, the walk to the hill of the skull, the crossbeam attached, the voice of the bandits, the voice of the Christ, the empty cross, the fleeing the scene for safety… Images and fresh memories abound.
One image I would like for you to think about with me tonight is the inscription, or verdict, placed above Jesus’ head. The statement was much more political than religious, it read, “Jesus of Nazareth; King of the Jews.” In all four of the gospels this appears and it is not surprising that the writer of the fourth gospel elaborates. In the synoptics the inscription is placed above Jesus, but no discussions among the religious officials are mentioned. But in John we hear:
“Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate; ‘Do not write The King of the Jews but, this man said, I am the King of the Jews.’ Pilate answered, what I have written I have written.”
Dating back to the 2nd century some scholars have suggested that there was a stream of thought where the people believed that Pilate thought Jesus WAS the King of the Jews and that is WHY he killed him. Not because of giving in to the crowds demand, but because who Jesus was and his being a political threat to the kingdom of Rome. The scholars say that would be consistent as to why he was given over to the most heinous of capital punishment - usually reserved for the insurrectionist of the day that tried to undermine the current power. To Pilate, Jesus must have been as subversive as the other bandits and Barabbas. My point tonight is not to make Pilate out to be a believer or demonize a crowd, but rather to give serious thought to the inscription over the head of Jesus and its meaning then and now—an inscription that troubled the religious officials with whether or not it was an accurate description of the crime. And if it was, then there was serious indictment on all their actions.
It is far too easy to cast blame, but my thought and leap tonight is that we often try to place such inscriptions and verdicts of Jesus’ kingly and messianic role in places that make sense, where we might have gotten it right and places where the sign looks like it fits. The news we find in the inscription often has us looking at our own actions and where we could have been the disciple, the caregiver, the listener, the justice provider, but chose to remain silent or worse…
I want you to think about this with me for a moment and if you had the chance to place this inscription in areas of our world today that would seem a bit strange where would that be -- areas where we might have missed out on an opportunity of God’s incarnation. Where we still might have a chance to right the wrongs of this world and be partners in bringing about God’s kingdom as seen in the life of Jesus Christ… as seen in the reaction of the disciples after Pentecost.
“How strange a place for an affirmation?” Wrapped up in the image above Jesus’ head is an affirmation of his religious and political claims of God’s kingdom.
“Here he is, your King of the Jews…Jesus of Nazareth” - heads shaking in contempt, but also heads looking up in amazement and intrigue. In Greek, Hebrew, Latin, and most likely Aramaic—clearly stated not a “that is what he said”—this speaks to all of us and pushes us to align ourselves with
God’s kingdom. It challenges us like the voice of Isaiah to remember our covenant is with God above all else.
It is in places of great joy and praise, but also in the depths of the halls of despair, there too and maybe much more, the home of the sick and suffering, those displaced and crying, ones left out and lonely the inscription is etched. It is here that the King of the Jews invites us as partners in his service.
As I walked through the dirt streets outside of San Ramon, Nicaragua, I saw the face of Jesus in those that lived in homes I would barely say qualify as a good tool shed. And over their home I imagine, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
The inscription is a vivid reminder of who Christ was and remains to be today. Where is Christ inviting us to place this affirmation for the world to see? May God lead us to be strong like our Lord, and bear the cross of our calling to the ends of the earth.
Far too many times in my life recently I wanted to say, God, not here, let’s reword the statement or play it down a little, give me some space, do not come up to this hill, leave me alone, let me be, the timing is not right, do not speak my language tonight…
But in strange places of our desert solitude and Good Friday questions, we hear words of affirmation and promise.
Here he is; Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
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