Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

It cannot be denied that Jesus’ coming with His works created different reactions among His people. Some accepted Him as the Messiah, God’s messenger who came to the world to save mankind from sins, but some rejected Him as a savior. Those who rejected Him set up various measures to trick Jesus and gave them strong proof to bring Him to court and be sentenced to die.

 

It is very ironic and really unwarranted that Jesus, who is innocent with no lie on His mouth, was charged with various false accusations by His own people. He was accused as a provocateur rousing the people to oppose the leaders of the church and nation, a traitor who tried to change the customs and traditions of their ancestors, a terrorist who agitated and confused the people, and a rebel who rejected and disregarded His duty as a good citizen. He was marked as a crazy man who compares Himself with God. He knew and realized that the accusations against Him were political action by His enemies.

 

Facing these various charges, Jesus held His peace…at the Garden of Gethsemane when Judas gave Him the kiss of betrayal and when the executioner arrested and dragged Him rudely and cruelly.

The public uproar to free Barabbas and the choice to crucify Him was received calmly. The crown of thorns that tore the skin of His head and the whip that shook His flesh were received calmly. The long, exhausting journey to Golgotha carrying the heavy cross, the sharp nails that penetrated His feet and hands and the spear that pierced His side were all received calmly. In short, the great suffering that was given to Him was received calmly.

 

Jesus’ silence has a meaning. He is serene as a proof of His loyalty and total submission to the will of His Father in heaven. He is willing to bear all even though what He experienced was beyond human limitations. The silence of the Son of God is a chance for man to reflect on his own sins and return back to God. Jesus’ silence taught mankind that hatred should be responded with love and not with hatred. Because when hatred is met with hatred, it will create new hatred.

 

Jesus, Son of God, was rejected, arrested and killed in the hands of sinners. Humiliation on the cross did not lose His Son-ness and God-ness; He even experienced being lifted up by His Father in heaven. By offering Himself as a living sacrifice, God gave Him the most glorious name so that all creatures in heaven, earth and under the earth will bend their knees in His presence and all tongues will confess that He is God equal with His Father. He carried out the task given to Him by the Father until it is finished. All was over on the Cross. His enemies felt relieved and happy because they have cut short His fight while His followers mourned because the life of the Teacher whom they can rely on ended in a tragic way.

 

Reflecting on the sufferings of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago, we may feel deep sympathy because the torturing and crucifixion are too cruel. Maybe we easily condemn those who are responsible in the crucifixion of the sinless Son of Man, with a lot of questions in our minds. How could Judas betray his Teacher? Why was Pilate afraid to lose his supporters? Why was the public easily bribed? Why did the executioner torture Him beyond the limits? Why did His followers, who days before shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ now shouted, ‘Crucify Him’?

 

Because one’s conscience is blind. With the blindness of the conscience, man allows all means to reach his objective. In the blindness of the conscience, man attacks his own neighbor and delights on the sufferings of others.

 

Today, the incidents in Gethsemane, Gabbatha and Golgotha are brought back into our minds. We remember the image of Gethsemane asking ourselves, do we appear with Judas to give the kiss of betrayal to our neighbor? We remember the image of Gabbatha while asking ourselves; do we appear with Pilate to judge our neighbor without reason and proof? We also remember the image of Golgotha asking, do we also crucify and harm innocent people? When it happened at these places, do we shout with the people ‘Hosanna… Hosanna’… and do we leave the place shouting ‘Crucify him… Crucify him’…?

 

Are we brave enough to leave Gethsemane, Gabbatha and Golgotha? I hope so!

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