In preparation for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter, there is much to read, research, prepare, and pray to deliver at least seven sermons and reflections between Palm Sunday and Easter. In chapter 26, verses 51-52, the Gospel of Matthew shares the story of a violent act that occurred during Jesus’ arrest:
51 Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword.
The Gospel of John identifies “one of those with Jesus” as Peter, who would later deny Jesus three times after confessing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Peter allowed his emotions to get the best of him and, blinded by despair, reached for the sword and cut the ear off of Malchus, the slave of the high priest instructed to apprehend Jesus.
Jesus’ response to Peter’s violent act is that violence begets violence that leads to death. Nothing good can come from wanting to right a wrong with violence. The Gospel of Luke accounts that Jesus healed the Malchus’s ear, “51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.”
Sometimes circumstances get the best of us, and we lose focus on what Jesus calls us to do: love ourselves, one another, and God above all else. Violently expressing our emotions increases tension, forms divisions, and creates a space of mistrust.
What emotions and feelings rise within us that we can control if we intentionally exercise God’s love for us and others? What can we do to improve this world, especially for our children? What sentiments of anger, despair, doubt, and fear blind us to the point of causing harm to others?
Martin Luther King, Jr. shared powerful truth through thought-provoking words inspired by Jesus:
“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy, instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Jesus died a violent and humiliating death for us, demonstrating love we could only dream of showing to others. Humanity falls short, stumbles, and sins. We fall short, stumble, and sin. If only we could lay our lives at the foot of the cross and offer others the space to do the same. If only we could heal others instead of causing harm. Our wounded hearts are lovingly restored to wholeness by God’s unconditional love, mercy, compassion, and grace, exemplified in the life of Jesus the Risen One, so that we may live resurrected lives empowered by the Holy Spirit!
Happy and blessed Easter!
In Christ,
Pastor Iraida