Life is life is life. The days move by with their routines and tasks. A student frets over books. A store owner frets over other books. Children play; new love blooms; couples quarrel and move on. Household chores demand attention.
And a woman remembers a mob and the gracious voice that set her free.
Somewhere, a soldier stands guard over locals, who maintain their own bitter watch over the soldier. A governor files reports and hopes for promotion. A high priest wonders about the future of his people.
And a man, once blind, marvels at the wondrous intricacies of clouds.
A farmer watches the skies for some sign of rain. A merchant scans the crowd for one more customer. A gardener tends the grounds near an old family tomb. Some things are certain, after all.
And in a home in Bethany, Mary and Martha sit down to dinner with their brother, Lazarus.
Families prepare for the Passover. The Temple welcomes pilgrims. A money changer picks up the pieces of his business. A friend arranges a place for a special dinner.
And somewhere in a shadowy corner of his heart, Judas tucks away thoughts that frighten even him.
A week seemingly like any other becomes holy. The sky is shattered; time stops; eternity shines through; and life is given a new dimension. Already some had experienced the holy power of this person named Jesus, but not even they could have predicted the events of that week. Such moments of holy surprise are best understood in the retelling, it seems. Only as we look back can we fully grasp how God has been at work, and in the remembering, we begin to recognize what God is doing even now.
To walk through Holy Week is to hold up a prism revealing the subtleties of the light that always shines. See there-the love of God-and there-the faithfulness of that love-and there-just how far love will go for the beloved-and there-love's triumph.
For a week we tell the story and open again the routines of our days to the surprising power of Christ's touch. Here at HMUMC it begins this Sunday as choir, orchestra, and narrators present "The Power of the Cross" (I'll also bring a message during the 8:15 service in The Rooftop.). Then follow Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Hold up the prism. See there-in the midst of life-the holy.
