In Suffering and Sorrow

I’ve read a number of reflections lately about Holy Week and the suffering of Christ, particularly about how He willingly entered into our world and took on our humanity. Because He knew suffering and hurt, loss and betrayal, He understands the pain that we face. He is still compassionate and gets our sorrow.

As I think about recent racially motivated attacks in the news, whether the victims were Asian, indigenous, black or brown, it’s possible that some comfort is found in Jesus having born the hatred of those who needed control and maintenance of the hierarchy. Perhaps those who have been told to get back in line and not ask for the same rights as white people are helped in knowing that Jesus went to the cross for them too and knows their suffering.

However, if Jesus’ suffering and sorrow is merely a way that He can relate to us and not transformative, then I think we’ve missed the point. He suffered and died so that old ways and outdated religious and political systems that were causing harm could be changed. He took on the weight of the cost of challenging the status quo and brutally died as a result, and yet He did so with the knowledge that it would be worth it. New life and transformation would come. He would rise again and prove that love is stronger.

We are surrounded by situations of despair and suffering, of people being crucified for their skin colour or race or choices or identities. Moving against the status quo takes enormous energy. For us to not just see Easter as a historic event but as a recurring reality is important to our walk with Jesus. He died and rose again to model to us what is possible through God’s extravagant love. Easter isn’t just about us receiving the hope of eternal life, although that is an amazing and indescribable gift. It’s about seeing how Jesus stood with those who were suffering and didn’t allow anything to deter Him from changing their situation.

So many people don’t know Jesus. The story of His death and resurrection mean nothing to them if all it has to do with is a historical event. But if we, the body of Christ, truly want to live up to that name then we must be willing to do as He did - to notice hypocrisy, injustice, oppression and evil and to do something about it. The promise of Easter is not just for us and those who are already part of the family of faith. The ripping of the temple curtain from top to bottom was a reminder that nothing separates us from God and no one particular religion and its officials can control God’s presence and blessing..

When we stand with the suffering and offer support, a listening ear and what gifts we have to work to change their situation, then we are part of someone’s resurrection. When we do not accept status quo and put ourselves at risk in order to pave the way for God’s love to win over troubling situations, then we are living out Holy Week. When we trust that God will finish what needs to be done and direct us to our part in the heavenly kingdom’s growth, then we are part of the transforming power of the Spirit.

Easter does not come without suffering and sorrow. New life doesn’t come without death of some kind. Perhaps the question of this Holy Week is what needs to die in us so that Easter can happen for us and those we care about and for those who continue to suffer and await God’s mercy and goodness? In what ways are we called to stand with the disenfranchised and abused so that they too will find hope in this life and the next?

Easter is coming, but first we need to recognize the suffering around us and the role we play in it. May we be inspired to move from merely being spectators ready to crucify others to being the ones overturning money-changers’ tables and speaking out about the wrongs done against God’s precious children. And may we receive new life as a result.