The Response of Sorrow

Read Luke 23:44-56.

Sorrow and grief take many forms. For those of you who are more familiar with death and tragedy this will not be anything new to you, but let’s take a look for a moment at the sorrow surrounding Jesus’ death:

“Surely this was a righteous man.”
What an interesting thing for a man who had literally presided over the death of Jesus to say. What was it, I wonder, that made him make such an exclamation? Was it the death itself? Was it everything leading up to the death? Had he inadvertently been paying attention to this condemned man’s last words? Was it the reaction of God through nature around him when the sky turned dark and the earth shook? What does it say about his regret? Does he seem to regret that he just killed a man who didn’t deserve it?

“When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.”
The very people who, a moment before, had been the mocking passersby upon his death become the wailing mourners. The practice of wailing in the Middle East is still commonly done today upon death. However it was not commonly done by men either back them or today, and yet here and in the original language there is everything to suggest that there were both men and women who were wailing at the time of Christ’s death. Why? Was it because they too had the clarity of the Centurion? Were some of these people also among the faithful followers? If they weren’t with Jesus’ family were they all there to mock Jesus? Whatever their reason for being there, at seeing his death there was a sudden realization of who he was that equally affected men and women standing nearby.

“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. . . Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.”
Joseph always seemed to me a pretty decent man. It’s not clear here that he believes in the resurrection of Jesus, and presumably no one expected it; but having just witnessed the death of the man he hoped would be Messiah bringing the kingdom of God, he still goes out of his way to make provision for his burial. Was it out of guilt or shame? The gospel of Luke states that he didn’t agree with the Sanhedrin’s actions or decisions. Was it because he realized who Jesus was and loved him? Was it because it was the last thing he could do for the man whom he had hoped in as Messiah?

“The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph . . . then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.”
Was it the job only of the women to make themselves ceremonially unclean in order to preserve the dead with the spices and perfumes? No. Yet they are the only ones recorded who are making further preparations to give Jesus a proper Jewish burial.

Looking at some of these examples of grief and sorrow you may see your own reaction, you may not. How is it that you relate to the sorrow of the Cross? How do you connect with Jesus on the level of grief? What does your sorrow have to say about your relationship with Christ?

Today’s spiritual discipline is seeking Guidance. For most of us we like to seek guidance from God in big decisions like college, careers, relationships, missions, or moving. This is something different. Seeking guidance from God in these areas is important, but the discipline of seeking Guidance revolves being open to what God wants to do through your life daily and being obedient, not just in the decisions you consider big. Take some time out today to actively listen for God’s will without pushing forth your own desires, is there something God is putting on your heart that you didn’t see before?

God, quiet our hearts and our souls so we may listen to you. Speak to us of the things that are close to your heart. Give us willing spirits that are obedient to your will, so that in all things you may be given glory. Amen.