Today's Reading: St. Mark 14:1-15:47
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 9:29-10:20; Hebrews 3:1-19
“And he came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking rest? It is enough! Behold! The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners!” (St. Mark 14:41)
Happy Holy Week! In the name of Jesus. Amen. I’m not worth it. I’m not worth the suffering. I’m not worth enduring Judas’ betrayal. I’m not worth Jesus being abandoned by His disciples. I’m not worth His being carted off like a criminal with swords and spears.
I’m not worth his enduring this kangaroo court. I’m not worth the twisting of His words. I’m not worth the rejection by His people. I’m not worth His being spit upon or the blows to face as they mocked Him.
“Prophesy!” They commanded Him, as they beat on Him. I’m not worth that either. I’m not worth His being denied by Peter—three times not worth it. I’m not worth His being dragged to Pontius Pilate. I’m not worth Barabbas being released, instead of Him.
“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” I’m not worth that refrain. I’m not worth Him enduring the purple cloak and the crown of thorns.
“Hail, King of Jews.” I should be the one who is mocked for what I do. I’m not worth His being mocked like this! I’m not worth His being stripped of His clothing and led away to be crucified. So much suffering! So much pain! He can’t even carry His own cross! I’m not worth this—not even close.
I’m not worth Golgotha. I’m not worth his rejection of the sour wine. Would that He didn’t feel this pain! I’m not worth it!
I’m not worth the soldiers shooting dice for His clothes. I’m not worth the nails! I’m not worth the one pounded through His right hand. And I’m not worth the one in His left hand either. I’m not worth the nails driven through His feet. I’m not worth it!
They wag their tongues at Him. “You would destroy the temple? Save yourself! Come down!” I should be enduring this, not Him.
“He saved others, He cannot save Himself.” He shouldsave Himself rather than doing this. I’m not worth this.
I’m not worth His being abandoned by God. God should abandon me—not Him. I’m not worth His crying out. I’m not worth God dying.
I’m not worth the suffering and death of Christ. You aren’t either. The joy of Lent is that Jesus does it anyway to save you and me from not being worth it. Happy Holy Week! In the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Almighty and everlasting God, grant us by Your grace so to pass throughthis holy time of our Lord's passion that we may obtain the forgiveness of our sins; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
(Collect for Holy Tuesday)