I never gave it very much consideration. What it takes to lead your congregation through the Easter season. It's not at all what I expected at the age of 12 when I received this call. As far as I was concerned, growing up, it was nothing more than a comforting sermon at a well attended service where I would wear a femenine colored shirt and tie. With the big Sunday ahead of me I realize that perhaps I 've been a bit mistaken.
Today I sense a heavy burden and passion to convey the greatest event in the history of the world accurately and in a way that penetrates lives. This week alone I will be preparing a Bible Study, Sunrise service message, and for the first time at our church, coordinating and leading a tenebrae service. I haven't even thought about when I will run down to kohls and get my manly pink or green shirt and tie.
Why do I this easter season feel different than every other year? I believe that God is permitting for me to reflect the responsability of sharing the greatest story every uttered from the lips of man. Why do I experience unrest as I am preparing this tenebrae service? I believe it is because I will lead the people of God throug a service that will envoke the realization that we truly abandoned, betrayed and crucified the messiah, king of the Jews, and the Son of God. We will not end this fridays service with a pat on the back and an empty tomb. We won't leave singing "Up from the grave he arose" just to go home and sleep well. No! We will leave in silence and a heavy heart, relaizing what really happened to Christ. Perhaps one this friday will leave the church and walk down Ohio Street, contemplating all of the times that they have denied Christ. They will not be alone, and man named Simon Peter would say he has experienced the same thing. Mabye one will get in their car, and drive home full of anger as she realizes the injustice of this crucifixion. She will not be alone, a woman named Mary walked down a hill, full of heartache and anger just the same.
This is the environment I will draw my congregation into this friday. Not one of comfort and rejoicing, but one of silence and darkness as their light and hope was brutally murdered, not for them, but more importantly, because of them. This is why Easter this year will not be the same for me.
Pastors and Christians, please do not jump and rejoice over the empty tomb before you fall and mourn over the cross.
The Lord be With You
3 comments:
Jason,
I am with you, brother. I am having a similar experience. I led a sort of Tenebrae service this past Thursday at our church. We left the service hearing the Jesus Christ would be crucified in a week. The Light of the world is dead. I think it is important for us to reflect on this and mourn about it appropriately. Then, after we have done that, we can get to the empty tomb, which is certainly worth celebrating!
When you get a chance, check out my blog. I started writing again (you inspired me:)
Later man
Hey Jason
Really like what I see today. Sadly I use to feel like on Palm Sunday I had to preach about Jesus arriving in the city. Not this year. We went right to the suffering which involved so much more than physical agony. Never forget the importance of incarnate diety as you unravel the mystery of the cross. It is a tight rope walk between human and divine as you relay the Good Friday news. Keep up the good blogging!
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