Well, that escalated quickly. One moment we are celebrating Jesus, then we are shouting ‘crucify him’! There is something powerful about collectively reading the passion narrative. As each new voice enters the story, we hear different perspectives, different understandings of this moment. Perhaps we may even hear the story anew. Thinking about these different voices, these different characters, I wonder if we can see parallels to individuals today. I wonder if we can even see ourselves in this story.
For example, let’s start with Pilate. He is the Imperial ruler of the time and so he acts as the judge. He has the most power, although he is keenly aware of the need to maintain order, and doesn’t want to see another riot. He is trying to balance his authority and the circumstances as best as he knows how. Can we envision people today who do the same?
How about the Chief Priests? These are the religious authorities. They hold responsibility for maintaining traditions and ensuring that the faith continues. On the one hand, Jesus could be seen as a threat to their position, but he was also a threat to the religious status quo. The structures had been functioning adequately for generations, and Jesus was disturbing this. How do leaders address the need maintain tradition and yet transform injustice?
Herod represents a different kind of power. One that is self-serving and curious. He is someone who will only use his power and privilege to get what he wants and will turn on those who don’t make him happy. Does that fit anyone we know today?
Then there is Barrabas. He was an insurrectionist! He was doing what many hoped Jesus would do. He fought against Roman rule. When the crowd didn’t get what they wanted from Jesus, they decided to put their trust in someone who they thought was doing a better job at what they wanted. Do we know anyone like that today?
While carrying his cross, Jesus meets Simon of Cyrene who is compelled to carry the cross. Simon is a helper; someone who is uses their gifts to support the needs of others. These quiet individuals can make a huge difference in the lives of those they help. Folks in this congregation serve as helpers regularly blessing others.
‘Daughters of Jerusalem’. Jesus turns to face the weeping women. He appreciates their presence and knows that tears are a sign of love. That love will extend far beyond this moment. There will tears of mothers for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit children. There will be tears of mujeristas in Latin America fighting injustice, and grandmothers in Africa caring for grandchildren orphaned by AIDS. The tears continue in many ways today.
There are also the criminals. One is self-serving and unrepentant. The other recognises the injustice of Jesus’ sentence and understands there is something significant happening here. Entitlement and privilege can lead to the first. Repentance and humility create space for the second. To what extent are we familiar with both perspectives?
Throughout it all there are the soldiers, just doing their job and there is a crowd of people that get caught up in the energy and follow along. It can be hard to go against the grain. It can be hard to say and do something that is outside of the expectations or perspectives of those around us. Who doesn’t have moments when we would rather just go along?
Perhaps that’s the point of sharing this story year after year. To hear the voices, to imagine the characters in this story, to consider where we might be if we were part of the narrative, is to remind ourselves that there are ways in which this story continues. There are ways in which the attitudes, expectations, and behaviours that contributed to the trial, and crucifixion of Jesus continue to harm people today. There are ways in which we are a part of these stories.
To reflect on this is to also remind ourselves that no matter who we are, no matter how we fit into these stories, Jesus is present, loving us, forgiving us, redeeming us, time and time and time again. Knowing this, trusting this, may we seek to allow the passion of Jesus to transform us anew today and everyday. This we pray as we sing: 192 Were you there.