the Ironies of the Easter Story

This week leading up to Easter has been so spiritually refreshing. I've been able to reflect and prepare my heart for Easter more this year than any other year, refueling my soul in a much-needed way, but more importantly providing me a new perspective of grace. I've worked through the passages of the last week of Jesus' life each morning. This afternoon Megan and I watched Mel Gibson's 'The Passion.'

Two years ago I put some thoughts and questions on paper revolving around the interesting elements of the Easter story found in Scripture. I found it this morning and spent time reflecting upon the ironies of the Easter story. Maybe it will help you reflect and prepare you heart as well.

The Ironies of the Easter Story:

1. Simons:
Look at the contrast between the two Simons in the Passion story. Simon Peter betrayed Jesus three times, and was unable to pick up and carry his cross in following Jesus to the end. Simon the Cyrene, however, picked up Jesus’ cross on the way to the crucifixion (Mark 15:20). Which Simon are you more like?

2. Jesus and Barabbas:
The name “Barabbas” is actually a nickname and not a proper name. Barabbas means “son of a father” (from bar: son of and abba: father, daddy). An early scribal tradition of Matthew 27:17 calls him “Jesus Barabbas” with Jesus his proper name. Therefore, before Pilate and the Jews it was Jesus Christ (Jesus, son of the Father) and Jesus Barabbas (Jesus, son of a father). Celebrate the fact that we serve Jesus, son of the Almighty Father.

3. Insurrectionists:
The two criminals on the cross were not thieves as many people think, but insurrectionists (lestai in the Greek), the same crime for which Barabbas was imprisoned. Therefore, there were three insurrectionists – four if you include Jesus – in the Passion story. Think of the irony: one insurrectionist was crucified but forgiven. One insurrectionist was crucified, but was not forgiven. One insurrectionist was released before the crowds and one insurrectionist took the penalty for all. If Jesus were labeled an ‘insurrectionist’ stirring up crowds with the truth (also think of the life of Paul) how are we to live? Does living out the truth stir others?

4. The two Josephs:
After Jesus’ death, Joseph of Arimathea took the body and prepared it for burial. Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin and a ‘secret’ follower of Jesus who did not consent with the decision of his execution. Think of the Joseph ‘bookends’ in Jesus’ life. God used Joseph, husband to Mary and ‘earthly father,’ to help to prepare Jesus for life, while Joseph of Arimathea prepared Jesus’ body for burial in death.

5. Life and death:
John writes that Joseph was accompanied by Nicodemus as he prepared Jesus’ body for burial. The irony: this is the same Nicodemus that conversed with Jesus in John 3 about eternal life. What might Nicodemus have thought as he prepared the dead body and remembered the famous words of Jesus of the promise of eternal life (John 3:16-17)?

Comments

[DougG]

JR, I was impressed by the Pope Benedict's "Stations of the Cross", including Simon's carrying the cross for Jesus. A distant but favorite memory (BC for me) of one of my Grandfather's sermons is about Simon of Cyrene; Grandfather acted out the Passion from Simon's POV with the climax being him meeting (accepting?) Jesus and realizing the enormity of it all.

Vatican Website: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2006/documents/ns_lit_doc_20060414_via-crucis_en.html