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Hero or Scapegoat |
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Article by Tom
Gilbert — © April, 2009
Palm Sunday marks the
beginning of the most
important week in the
Christian liturgical
calendar. Holy week starts
with the triumphal entry
into Jerusalem by Jesus.
He rides on a colt (or
donkey, or both depending
on the Gospel version),
as prophesied in Zechariah
9:9. According to the
scriptures people were
excited and waiving palm
branches and singing
joyfully.
It helps to recognize the historical context of this
time. Jerusalem and Israel were occupied by the tough
Roman Empire and the people longed for freedom. Many
were hoping for a Messiah, a political king like David
in the Old Testament, who would restore glory to the
Jewish people in Israel.
In a matter of just a
few days Jesus goes from
hero to scapegoat. He
is arrested by religious
authorities who no doubt
feared negative repercussions
from Governor Pontius
Pilate and Roman rule.
Beside, this Jesus was
preaching about things
that called into question
the authority of the
religious leaders. Going
around associating with
outcasts and sinners,
criticizing the establishment,
speaking on his own authority
and saying his authority
comes essentially from
God...well, people had
been killed for less.
Most Christians are familiar
with the events that
lead up to the passion
- the suffering and death
of Jesus of Nazareth
on the cross. The crucifixion
would be a hollow bloody
act if not for the belief
that he accepted his
fate and gave his life
for all mankind and furthermore,
triumphed over this death
by his resurrection.
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Maybe
you are familiar with the events of Holy Week
and maybe not. But we should read the Gospel
accounts of this eventful time and ponder what
was happening. The love and humility of the
Teacher at the Last Supper with the disciples;
the agony of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani;
his arrest along with the desertion of his
loyal followers; the questioning, scourging,
crucifixion and the heart-wrenching sorrow
of his mother, Mary, as she watched her son
die. Where would you fit in this narrative?
Would you be one of those in the crowd shouting
praise for the Messiah as he entered Jerusalem
and then crying for his crucifixion a few days
later? Would you argue for the expediency of
one man dying to prevent a crushing military
response to stem an uprising? Would you swear
allegiance to the Master and then run away
to save your own skin? Would you be indifferent?
Or would you watch and wonder why it was all
happening, hope draining from your heart at
the tragic turn of events?
The events of Holy Week can teach us a great deal. We
might think we are good and loving Christians, but even
Peter denied Christ — not once, but three times! Jesus
was remarkable through it all. He didn't respond with
vengeance or hate. He forgave his enemies, just as he
had preached. We often focus on what we think Jesus taught
about God. Look closer - he taught us so much about what
it means to be human and how to live.
We all long for heroes to save us from our troubles.
Most of us find it easier to fix blame on a scapegoat
than to accept responsibility and "take up our own
cross".
How do you view Jesus
Christ? A good and moral man? An excellent
teacher? A humble servant? Son of God?
Hero or scapegoat?
He is all that and more. There is more to the
story of the Christ than any of us know. We
can discover from the way of the Christ a life
radically different than the messages we usually
get in the world. It is a way that asks our
all and it is a way that can, and does, triumph.
What looked to be the worst thing - the Son
of God murdered - ultimately shows us how to
face life and, with God's grace, defeat evil.
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| Tom
Gilbert is a writer and spiritual seeker who
edits and maintains the Living the Solution
web site. You may reprint this article as long
as you give credit and a link back to www.livingthesolution.com |
Scripture taken
from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All
rights reserved throughout the world. Used
by permission of International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,
Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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ZECHARIAH
9:9
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"Rejoice
greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
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(NIV)
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