This week, we’ve spent time with a few of the witnesses to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ in re-imagined scenes. We know they were there, and we know some of their words, thoughts, and actions. We also know what it means to be human, and we can guess at the emotions they experienced in the shocking turn of events that ushered in the upside-down Kingdom of Heaven. We are also witnesses to the dawn of grace, recipients of redemption.
John, Peter, the thief, and both Marys have all gone before us, walking across the bridge to the Father that is Jesus. They now stand in Paradise with him, alongside all of the flawed, fully human heroes of our faith.
Paul reminds us in Hebrews, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The work of the cross was done once, for all, but we continue to work out our salvation here on earth. Surrounded by witnesses who were as fully human as we are, we too walk across the bridge to the Father carrying all of our strengths, imperfections, giftedness, and sin. We take every part of us to the Father, and one day, like this great cloud of witnesses, we will be made whole.
Paul urges us to persevere, to run, to endure. And we can because we are the resurrection people—our hope lives on, even when our circumstances, grief, pain, or shame become stumbling blocks on the long race home.
We are homeward bound, the cross stands before us like an open door.
As we celebrate Easter tomorrow, let’s meditate on these words by Macrina the Younger as our prayer, “You free us from the dread of death, and make this life a door. You grant our very flesh a fallow season, then gather all at the last horn’s blast. You sow the earth with these our bodies, shaped by your own Hand. You bring the harvest in, transforming death into abundant life, all defect into beauty.”
Christ is Risen.
Click here to read Day One: John the Beloved.
Click here to read Day Two: Mother Mary.
Click here to read Day Three: Peter the Passionate
Click here to read Day Four: Mary Magdalene
Click here to read Day Five: A Thief Unnamed
