The lectionary goes into overdrive today...

Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
John 18:1—19:42

Ever since I began to explore the way the New Testament, and especially the Fourth Gospel has been (ab)used in the cause of anti-Semitism, and ever since I spent an Easter working with an RC church where these most blatant of 'blame the Jews for Jesus death' were read in their entirety, I've been uncomfortable with the Good Friday readings.  I've known for since I was a child that it was not the Jews who executed Jesus (it was the Romans).  I've known since adolescence that in some way Jesus chose or accepted the path to Calvary as consistent with God's purpose, and that those who tried and executed him in some sense acted vicariously for, on behalf of, all humanity.  Curious that we can 'get' the vicarious in Christ but not in a group of first century middle eastern people.

This morning we are holding a 'children's vigil' - a telling of the story for children, mostly aged under five.  it is challenging - to tell the story honestly and engagingly whilst neither terrifying or tantalising these little ones.  We will use songs and symbols, crafts and movements to journey through Holy Week one last time and end up, literally, at the foot of the cross (we have a life sized cross).  And we will leave everyone there, not racing ahead to Sunday, for resurrection joy cannot be had unless there is first the hour of death and the empty, aching void of separation.

Whatever you are up to today, whatever readings you might be using two thoughts...

One, don't blame the Jews, or even the Romans for what happened

Two, don't rush ahead, stay with the place of death...

Can it be so, Lord Jesus

After the festal meal

Gethsemane

After the anguish of Gethsemane

The traitor's kiss

After the betrayal

The court of powerful men

After the ludicrous trial

The cockerel crowing

After the denial

The mocking and beating

After the scourging

The labour of cross-bearing

After the stumbling walk

The crucifixion

After the agony

The stillness of death?

My Lord, let me wait with Thee...