As I write this, I am looking at the glow of the Lighthouse and the lights from the Police parking lot.  An interesting and thought-inducing view for me. 

In Jesus’s time, the holy Temple of the Jews occupied the center of Jerusalem.  In conquering the Jews, Rome built barracks snuggled right up next to the Temple wall.  In fact, the outside wall of the barracks was just high enough for the soldiers to march back and forth in full view of the Temple Courtyard.  The better the keep an eye on you, dearies…..    Intended, of course, to remind the Jews even as they worshipped that they were under the thumb of Pilate and Herod and Rome.  Palm Sunday brings us into the crucible of this tension with horrible results.

St. Matthew’s Gospel (26: 14 – 27: 66) tells us the story.  Judas’s betrayal, the eating of the meal we continue as the Eucharist, the trial and the crucifixion of Jesus, and the sealing of the tomb to be sure that Jesus stays dead.  A devastating story that for us vividly describes the price of our salvation.  The reading of St. Matthew’s Passion is a powerful experience, especially when we as the congregation join in the shouts of “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

It is easy to stand proudly and say I would not have crucified Him!  It is easy to say our laws are just and do not kill the innocent.  It is easy to blame Judas and say I would not betray Him.  It is easy … from 2000 years away to be secure in our judgments.  

Would we crucify Jesus today?  It’s not a rhetorical question for the mind to play with.

I believe,

We are each born with a body, a mind, a soul, and a handful of nails.

I believe,

When a man dies, no one has ever found any nails left,

clutched in his hands

or stuffed in his pockets.

Taken with prayer from God is No Fool, Lois Cheney, Abingdon Press, 1969.

Lord, have mercy on us, for we know not what we do.

In the mercy and love of Jesus Christ, forgive us our sins.    Amen.