Devotion: Holy Week
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.
Matthew 27:45-50 NLT
Liberia’s last ebola patient was sent home a few weeks ago! A country that lost over 2000 of its citizens to the deadly disease now has taken control of that disease. There are still cases of ebola in Sierre Leone and Guinea, but this is significant progress!
This is wonderful, even miraculous news, yet I’ve seen barely any mention of it in the media. Last October when the US had its first case of ebola within its boundaries, there was extensive news coverage and renewed efforts to protect our citizens from this horrible disease. Ebola had claimed thousands of victims in West Africa since early 2014 and we didn’t hear much about it. As long as it was someone else, across the ocean, in a poor country with limited medical services, it wasn’t a threat to us and we didn’t give it much though.
And then it was here, and it felt threatening. And suddenly there was a response – both here and abroad – and there were treatments, experimental vaccines and biological protective gear that allowed those African countries to begin to address the problem. But before that could happen, one person had to come among us. One person had to die and get our attention before we could respond and begin to make a difference for the others.
It was the same situation with Jesus. God had to send his son as one of us. Jesus had to walk and work and live with us. He had to suffer indignities, persecution, unfair treatment and death as one of us. Jesus did not die to satisfy some kind of blood-for-salvation transaction with God. Jesus died so that we could relate. He died because God was and is and will forever be in solidarity with all human suffering. Someone had to die to get our attention and to help us understand and empathize.
The Bible gives us the terrible, awful historical history of Jesus’ crucifixion. But the Bible also tells us about the good that came out of the bad. We are so fortunate that the disciples and early Christians understood what had really happened and intently shared that good news, despite some very real dangers to themselves. How often do we search out the good around us and brashly share it?
Dear God, help us to be confident in your power so that we do not feel threatened. And help us to look for the positive and remember to share the good news today and every day. Amen
This devotion is written by Denise Mainquist.
If you would like to serve as a member of the Sheridan Lutheran Writing Team and help to write devotions based on the text for the weekend, contact Amy Wagner.
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