The song “Were You There?” invites us to reflect on the story we just heard, challenging us to contemplate what it might be like to experience that moment when Jesus was crucified, nailed to a tree, pierced in the side, and laid in the tomb while the sun refused to shine. There certainly is something profound in reflecting on that moment some two thousand years ago when God, in Jesus, gave his life for the world.
God, in Jesus, gave his life for a world that denied, abandoned, and betrayed him in violent and ignorant ways. Men, yes at that time it was all men, abused their power and influence to get rid of Jesus because Jesus was doing things that put them in uncomfortable positions and challenged their sense of privilege. They wanted to maintain the status quo. They wanted to preserve things as they were. Traditions, laws, and circumstances benefited them and so they fought against change which meant those who advocated for change needed to be silenced.
Jesus held up a mirror to this truth, saying to Pilate: For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.
Jesus held up a mirror to this truth and then, God, in Jesus, gave his life for a world that denied, abandoned, and betrayed him in violent and ignorant ways. Two thousand years later, we live in a world that still denies, abandons, and betrays God, human beings, and Creation in violent and ignorant ways, choosing power, privilege, comfort, tradition, status quo, or whatever else one might want to call it overlooking the hard truths that challenge what is needed for change. We are surrounded by the consequences of this reality – violence, war, racism, patriarchy, capitalism, inequality, homophobia, transphobia, environmental destruction, poverty, and illness. It is hard not to wonder if there are times when Jesus looks at the marks from the nails in his fingers and then looks at the world and wonders if it was worth it.
Of course, that would be a human way of thinking. God doesn’t see things the way we see things. God knows us better than we know ourselves. God knows our gifts and our potential. God knows our truths. Jesus testified to those truths and revealed in his life and death how love prevails. Love changes everything.
Jesus said: For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Jesus, the one who fed those who were hungry, healed those who were sick, and washed the feet of those who would abandon, deny, and betray him, showing what love looks like. Jesus, the one who spent time with outcasts and sinners offering them respect and dignity. Jesus, the one who stood before the angry crowd knowing he is the king and his crown is thorns and throne a cross.
For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Knowing what we know about this God who so loves the world, we shouldn’t even consider the possibility that Jesus regrets the choice of the cross. God knows us and trusts that we have all that we need to do better and be better. God has faith in us. God loves us enough to believe that every time we are reminded of the depth of God’s love for us in Jesus we can be transformed and our hearts can grow, our courage can expand, and we are more likely to work towards a world in which love reigns.
May our reflection on the cross this day open our hearts anew to the ways God is inviting us to transformation. This we pray as we sing: 192 Were You There?