March 25, 2005

Good Friday Meditation

Mark 15

C. K. Chesterton entered an essay-writing contest only with many other talented writers. The question they were to answer was: WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD? Some of the essays were quite wordy but Chesterton won the contest with just two words. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD? C. K. Chesterton simple wrote, “I am.” It was his way of saying everyone shares equally in the world’s condition.

This is Good Friday and we gather here to stare death in the face. It is never easy to look at death. I know adults who have a hard time walking into a funeral home or standing in a cemetery. However, the death of Jesus takes this anxiety to a new level.

Historically, the church has never been comfortable with the death of Jesus. Many tried to explain the death of Jesus away. For example, some said it only appeared as if he were dead. They said he was drugged. He was only sleeping. The early church leaders tried to confront these teachings so in the creed it says three times Jesus was dead! The creed says, “He was crucified, dead and buried.” Let me say it clearly: JESUS WAS DEAD!

Many modern churches still struggle with the death of Jesus. Look in the newspaper. Every church remembers Palm Sunday. Every church remembers Maundy Thursday. Every church of any size adds a service on Easter. However, very few churches remember his death on Good Friday. How can you have a resurrection without a death?

So if you remember nothing else this evening, remember this: JESUS WAS DEAD! I don’t care what medical definition you use Jesus was dead! His lungs were flat. His heart was silent. His pulse was still. Jesus was dead! The guards around the cross knew he was dead! The Pharisees and the Sadducees knew he was dead! His mother, Mary, knew he was dead! Everyone there knew Jesus was dead! Jesus was dead!

The only question that needs to be answered is who is responsible? Jesus was innocent of any crime, yet Jesus is dead! Who is responsible for the killing of an innocent man? You don’t have to look very far to find the answer. Who is responsible for the killing of an innocent man? I am! You are! We carry the responsibility. Jesus died so we may live. May God have mercy on us!