Holy Week Reflections Part One

We are currently in the middle of Holy Week, the week where we remember and enter into the final week of Jesus' life on earth: the triumphal royal procession, Jesus' going nuts in the temple, the last supper, and the crucifixion and death of Jesus, all leading up to the resurrection. Millions of Jesus-followers will engage in practices this week as a way of entering into these events.

One practice that I have each year is reading the passion and resurrection narratives found in the Gospels during Holy Week. Every year there seems to be a different part of the story upon which I find myself meditating.

As I was meeting with a friend last week I began to share with him how the story of Peter cutting off a servant's ear had particularly struck me (no pun intended). As I read this account I began to wonder how could this guy, (who John's Gospel tells us is named Malchus) who literally had his ear cut off the side of his head only to have Jesus miraculously heal it, still go through with the plan. How could he still serve as an accomplice to the arresting of Jesus? He had now experienced the compassion and power of Christ firsthand, and yet according to the story we assume it was still business as usual for Malchus.

As we discussed this story further we talked about how Malchus was a servant of the High Priest on the Temple's payroll. Arresting Jesus was his job. It was what he was expected, supposed, and paid to do. Suspending his convictions regarding Jesus was central to pleasing the powers-that-be. The consequences for Malchus not going through with the mandated plan were far greater to him than the benefit of his experience with Christ, restored ear and all.

I can't help but wonder if the same is true for many who have experienced Jesus today. The experience is real, powerful, and even miraculous and yet the cost of giving up our familiar and comfortable way of life isn't worth it. Its too big of a risk. We say "thanks for super-glueing my ear back Jesus, but I need to get back to my thing now."

I would've written the story different. Malchus would've refused to go through with the plan, stood by Jesus, and would've even been willing to die for Jesus. Though it didn't go down like that, kudos to Malchus for at least understanding the cost of following Jesus, for at least understanding the invitation to the cross and that it asks us to give all of ourselves.

Entering into the suffering and death of Jesus means understanding that we too our invited into suffering and to have solidarity with those who are suffering as well. As I reflect on my experience with Jesus this week I am reminded that it calls for a response to either give him everything or to continue on the safe and familiar path upon which I travel so effortlessly.

C.S. Lewis put it best, "If you are thinking of becoming a Christian then you are embarking upon something that will take the whole of you, brains and all."