We begin at the Last Supper, when our Lord takes the bread and cup and tells them this is his body and blood. He tells them that he is among them as one who serves, and he calls them to be servants of others.
Then they go to the Mount of Olives and he prays, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet, not my will but yours be done.” And in the intensity of his prayer and obedience, he sweats blood.
Then the crowd comes, led by Judas. Our Lord is betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, He is ridiculed and insulted.
He is questioned by Pilate, who sends him to be questioned by Herod, and then he is sent back to Pilate. Pilate, seeing no crime in Jesus, offers the people the choice to release Jesus, but they choose Barabbas.
Our Lord then undergoes the agony of a criminal’s death.
And what is his response to all this? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” His response is forgiveness and love.
This week we will walk with our Lord through these events, the institution of the Eucharist. the washing of feet, and the stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday and then the Good Friday Liturgy.
And all through the way of the cross we will focus on those two powerful things about our Lord—his forgiveness and his love.
Amen
Filed under: Sermons |
Grace Episcopal Church (Sheldon, VT) 