Guest Writer—Rev. Paula Gembala
Scripture: John 19:1-3 – Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face.
Thought for the Day: Several years ago, a large group from Cypress Creek decided to go out to the movie theater. It wasn’t an ordinary evening where friends might decide to go out together to watch a movie and maybe dinner afterwards. No, we were going to see “The Passion of the Christ”. The group walked in chatting, laughing and having a great time. We sat there, in a packed theater watching a movie that I know changed my life forever. Some of us covered our eyes, some of us cried, I remember clutching my husband, John’s arm as if my life depended on it.
The end of the movie finally came and we walked out to our cars in the parking lot. There was something different that occurred between the time we arrived at the theater and when we were leaving. That difference was sheer and utter silence. Each and every one of us left that theater, totally speechless. The only sounds I recall hearing were footsteps and every now and then a sniffle of someone trying to regain control of their emotions.
I’ve read the story of Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion many times over the years but never in my wildest dreams, did I imagine Christ being beaten to the point the movie displayed. Why is that? Doesn’t scripture tell us of the prophecy saying Jesus would be beaten until he was almost unrecognizable? (Isaiah 52:14)
As I go back to scripture and read that story once again, those images return to my mind and I feel the same sorrow all over again. Jesus never deserved this horrific treatment. He was sinless. But going back to the prophecy, it was written that it had to be this way. Jesus would willingly undergo these beatings, being spit upon, carrying his own cross, being nailed to that cross, and finally dying. Why, you might be asking? It is very simple, Jesus did this for the forgiveness of sins, yours and mine.
Prayer: I pray those images from the movie, remain fresh in my mind always, so I may remember Christ died on the cross that day for me. Allow me times of silence, dear Lord, to be in your presence and to hear your word. Amen.
Don’t Forget
The Workday This Sunday
11:00am – 3:00pm
If it rains, we will still
have tasks to be done.
