March 7th, 2025 - “Were You There?”

Were You There?

“Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!’” Mark 15:29-30

“And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’” Luke 23:35

For a moment, imagine you are transported back in time and are present at the crucifixion of Jesus. Where would you be standing and what would you do? Now, imagine – if you can – that you are like all those at the cross that day and you don’t know “the rest of the story”. None of the witnesses including Jesus’ disciples and followers had any idea – even though Jesus tried to tell them - what would happen three days afterward. Now, where would you be standing and what would you be doing and thinking?

As for myself, I’d like to think that I wouldn’t be among the scoffers and those who were deriding Jesus as he hung on the cross. Political or religious leaders who were outraged at the perceived threat to their power and control with Jesus’ repeated promise of a new kingdom, destruction of the temple and upending world order as they knew it, could certainly be angry enough to hurl such venomous words at a helpless, agonizing man dying on a cross. But not me; I could never be so cruel. At least I don’t think so unless Jesus really was a liar and rebel rouser like the leaders said.

Maybe, if I hadn’t been a follower of Jesus, I could be one of those passing by, averting my eyes after glimpsing the horrible scene. Perhaps shaking my head that it was such a shame these three men brought this execution on themselves. But even that’s difficult to believe about myself; I could never be that unkind unless they really were criminals like the Romans said.

I’d like to think that I could have been one of Jesus followers – someone who had been at his feet listening to parables, watching him heal the sick and maimed; breaking bread with him. Because if I were standing with Jesus’ followers at his crucifixion, I would…

I would have been sobbing in despair, hopeless, fearful, perhaps denying to others I even knew him. I’d probably be quietly questioning in my mind what the leaders had so hatefully asked, “He saved so many others, why as the Son of God won’t he save himself?” I wonder if I would have even had the courage and strength to stay to the bitter end and miss hearing Jesus’ cry “Father into your hands I commend my spirit!”

Imagining being present at the crucifixion is not something I like to think about. It’s not a pretty picture – particularly of myself. But as Christian, I know I must be present at the cross – not lingering there forever but long enough to see the dark shadow of my sin and shame that Easter sunrise casts out. Long enough to fully appreciate the magnitude of God’s love that he gave his Son to suffer and die for all of us that stand in the shadow of the cross – even me. And so, every year, I must prepare myself to be present.

Just as we prepare each year during Advent to celebrate Christ’s birth, we can prepare to be in the presence of the cross and celebrate his death and resurrection during the Lenten season. Lent challenges us to study scripture, be in solitude with God, and pray for and serve others. We balance giving up hatred, complacency and despair with giving to others from our hearts. Edna Hong, a Christian poet, wrote “The purpose of Lent is not to escape the conscience, but to create a healthy hatred for evil, a heartfelt contrition for sin and a passionately felt need for grace.”

Prayer: Lord God our Savior and Redeemer, forgive, strengthen, and prepare us to truly repent our sins and humbly be present at the cross. As you raised Your Son Jesus from the grave, so raise our voices and spirits to be witnesses to all the world of your glory and grace. Surround us with your everlasting love and peace – a peace that passes all understanding. Amen

The link below is to the African American hymn “Were You There?” My hope is that we may all be moved this Lenten season to answer, “Yes, yes I was there. I was and am a witness for Jesus.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElUJ443NMrM

Blessings,

Jean Hall