HOPE: We Are To Actively Participate
The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Â Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
A certain many from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. Â They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.
They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.  Mark 15:16-32 NIV
Last week my cousin let everyone know he was getting married. Â I immediately responded that we would love to attend and help him celebrate this new marriage.
His response was quick and enthusiastic, and it also broke my heart. He said he loved me and that I was a blessing to him but he also never thought I would approve. He went on to tell me that his parents will not even acknowledge this major event in his life.
You see, my cousin has had a few rough years dealing with sexual orientation, addiction and some bad choices that come from feeling unloved, unacceptable and adrift. Â It is a tragedy that he is finally able to live an authentic life and the only person in his extended family to support him and share in his celebration is a cousin. Â A cousin is a very poor substitute for the support of your parents and siblings.
This is what it means to actively participate. Â To take a chance on someone and walk with them a while. Â To get muddied up and bruised, but to stay in it. To feel their heartache and to help them heal just a bit. Â It is to stand in solidarity despite being a poor substitution for someone more important in their life.
THIS is what Jesus showed us how to do when He died on the cross.
Dear Lord, help us to actively participate in the lives of others, to be a support, an advocate, a friend. Strengthen us as we journey with those who need to hear Your loving reassurances. Â 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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