The Tension of Holy Week

   Once upon a time, many, many years ago, there was a Passion Play put on in the Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga. It may have been sponsored by the Kiwanis Club because, somehow, my brother and I had a part to play. My Dad was active in that club and the whole family participated in the various activities. I remember Christmas programs for needy kids, horse shows to raise money for various projects, and who knows what else our family helped in.

   Regardless, I was part of the crowd scenes in this play, two in particular. One was the Palm Sunday entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We all had palm branches (or something) and our line was one word, over and over and loudly; Hosanna, Hosanna..... It was a joyous crowd, and we got to run around the stage, following the route Jesus took.

   The other scene was in front of Pilate as Jesus was tried on the Friday morning. Again the line was repetitive and this time two words; Crucify Him, Crucify Him. Again we were loud, but this time there was no joy, only anger as the religious leaders walked through the crowd, stirring the people to do their bidding.

   It is strange, perhaps, that the last crowd scene is the one that I remember the best. I really felt bad that I had to yell out "Crucify Him" and to turn against Jesus, when I knew deep down that He was innocent, and had come down to earth to do us good and not harm. I did not fully understood why it had to be that way, only that it made me feel like a traitor to play that part.

   I wish I could say that I have always tried to play the part in my life of that Palm Sunday crowd, with joy, and giving God the glory for what He had brought down to man, but I'm afraid a lot of the time I have been willing to crucify Christ again and again by my denial of His salvation in my life. I don't have to yell it out, just live as though it did not matter what He did for me.

   As in that crowd around Pilate, I feel ashamed for what my life says sometimes, and I want to turn back the clock, to be proud of what I thought about Jesus then.

   Thank God for Grace and Forgiveness.