Good Friday Reflection: What Makes It Good? | Grace Lutheran Church x Kaleo Phoenix

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APRIL 15, 2022

For Good Friday, Kaleo joined our friends at Grace Lutheran Church where we gather, partner, and serve. Grace is pastored by Pastor Sarah Stadler, and she asked me to share a 5min reflection. Below a transcript.

GOOD FRIDAY

“What Makes It Good?”

Erin Dooley

Jesus was a subversive, political leader. He took on the humanity of us all and showed us what it means to live a life subversive to the empire.

The difference between Jesus and the insurrectionists that had come before Him was that he chose a life of non-violence. The Jewish people had been waiting for someone to deliver them from the oppression of the empire... Someone to rise up and show them a better way.

Some people didn't believe He was truly the Christ because he wasn’t overturning the empire the way they thought that He should. Some people were skeptical but hopeful…and others may be fully on board.

But can you imagine the hope they had (whatever amount it was) dwindle down further and further as they watched the very Savior they had trusted to deliver them from the empire, be crucified on a cross, brutally murdered, and publically mocked?

I imagine some of them questioned the way of Jesus when it seemed that the way of empire crushed Him…just like it did them.

The community of Kaleo is currently reading a book called “Who Will Be A Witness? Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance” by Drew G.I. Hart.

The way the author describes Jesus clearly explains his missional, liberating vocation, which was the reason for His crucifixion. Drew writes:

Jesus courageously came to Jerusalem and definitely clashed with establishment rulers and authorities. In fact, he called them a “den of thieves” for their participation in the concentrated exploitation of the people. Jesus hungered for a just and righteous world. We know he preached a radical message to the poor, condemned the wealthy, and invited people to a new life organized around himself. Preaching the kingdom of God was subversive.

The visible manifestation of Jesus’ way is demonstrated in the reality that he would sooner be crucified than crucify his enemies. No matter how radical Jesus was, one can imagine why not everyone would be convinced that God’s victory would unfold through a crucified Christ.

The original statement “Jesus is Lord” was a political one. It was saying that the world now has a new emperor.

So when the Roman soldiers wrote the phrase “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” on top of the cross they crucified him on…they mocked the belief that Jesus could bring new world order.

They mocked in disbelief that this Jesus was any savior at all because from their perspective, Jesus was still subject to their power – their power to kill.

For the power to kill has been the way of empire historically from Genesis to Revelation…and historically in the very nation that we are living.

When Jesus stood before Pilot, He stood before someone who represented the entire system of the world organized around access to power enforced by violence. For empire believed that they were wise and just because they had the power to control.

But when the Sinless One came into their system, they chose to murder Him…thus revealing that empire lies…it is neither wise nor just but only possesses a bid for power.

Jesus bore witness that it is in fact possible to organize the world around love…expressed in forgiveness.

As we reflect on this Good Friday, let us remember the despair of this present world. Let us remember how the Roman empire mocked the non-violent way of Jesus. Let us remember that the empire thought violence and the power to kill could get rid of Jesus. Let us remember the many people involved in His story…didn’t…“get it.” Let us remember that the story of Jesus does not end here…and…that…is what makes it good. Amen.

ENDNOTES

Some of what I shared was an exegesis of this video by Brian Zahnd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jxpzXk8IZ0
Hart, Drew; “Who Will Be A Witness? Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love and Deliverance” Herald Press (2020) pg. 88.