Day 22: “Walking in the Way of His Suffering”

Day 22

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

WEEK FOUR: SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2020

HOLY WEEK: PALM SUNDAY

“Walking in the Way of His Suffering”

Almighty and ever living God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

- Prayer for Palm Sunday, The Book of Common Prayer

The movie theater was half-filled, and all those present were pastors. We had been invited to a private preview screening of Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” and as the screen offered us scenes in the life of Jesus leading up to this week, to Holy Week, those around me could be heard to be eating popcorn, unwrapping candy and drinking sodas.

Until…..until the dramatic, unsparing scene of the scourging of Jesus filled the screen in a way that was unavoidable to the eye unless one looked away. This all-to-realistic brief and unsettling visual participation in the suffering of Jesus turned the theater absolutely silent.  

No loud “hosannas” here, Hebrew for “Save us.” No “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” to strengthen Him in His suffering.  Jesus knew that walking into Jerusalem would be for their salvation, but not from the Romans, rather from the greater enemies of sin and death.

Paul wrote to the fledging church in Corinth, “Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives…” (2 Corinthians 1:5). This mystery of His sufferings flowing over into our lives is matched by the equal mystery of knowing we shall also ‘share in his resurrection.’   

Reflective question: In what ways do you experience the benefits of Christ’s suffering?

Reflective scripture: Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…”

Reflective hymn: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” (Paul Gerhardt 1607-1676)

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinner’s gain;

Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.

Lo, here I fall my Savior, ‘Tis I deserve Thy place.

Look on me with Thy favor; assist me with Thy grace.