Lent Reflection, Day 27, March 31

And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”
Matthew 27:25

Additional Reading: Romans 3:21-26

What should I do with Jesus? Jesus’ night of suffering is reaching a climax. What begins as an intimate meal and conversation and loving gifts becomes a nightmare of pain and loneliness.

Jesus is now surrounded by people who do not love him. Surrounded, but alone. Terribly alone. He has been stripped of his friends, his dignity, even his clothing. He is a the mercy of the crowd. And they wish him to be gone, dead. The deepest darkness is just ahead.

Pilate has ultimate power. The state will carry out his edict – with will force. The crowd draws into a frenzy of alarming purpose. And there Jesus stands in the middle of the turmoil. Stripped of all but self-giving love. Prepared for death. Leading a great multitude toward eternal life.

What should I do with Jesus? In a sense, Jesus’ fate is in our hands, too. He stands before us, silent and waiting. He has come humbly, stripped. He could have come with demonstrations of frightening power and majesty. He could have come wrapped in burning wrath and judgment. But here he is, the suffering Jesus, quiet and attentive. He is again letting the crowd choose the place he will be given.

Prayer: Father, I choose to give Jesus first place in my heart. For all that will mean … for all that will look like … for all that will cost me … I will put him first. Amen.