A Holy Week Contrast of Frenzy

By Rev. David Wilson Rogers |  March 30, 2013

             What an amazing Holy Week it has been—both two thousand years ago and in the last several days. In the scriptures that herald this week, we hear echoes of vivid contrast as shouts shift from “Hosanna” to “Crucify him!” During his final meal, Jesus watches in silence as one of his disciples leaves to seal Christ’s fate on the cross. In the dark hours to follow, Jesus surrenders his life into the brutal hands of fear, anger, confusion, and hatred. Frightened of what some believe Jesus will represent, people rise against him. The brutality of the rage ended on a cross and by Saturday, the Messiah of God is dead in the tomb. It is the death through which the one Christian faith is forged.

            With two days of hearings in the Supreme Court regarding the issue of marriage, few Holy Weeks have been as politically and religiously charged as this one. Christians on both sides of the debate have squared off to passionately defend their understanding of God’s intent for marriage. Amid the fury and anger of the highly emotional exchange are shouts of violent destruction from both sides waged against the opposing side.

The Jews of Jerusalem got caught up in cries of “Crucify” as those in the crowd used religious and political rhetoric to rile them up. Powerful voices in our culture and within Christianity are doing the same today. One can imagine the scene in Jerusalem when Jesus was condemned to death. An emotional frenzy captivated the crowd with lies, half-truths, and dire predictions of what would happen to them if he were allowed to live. They also used legitimate and convincing appeals to the scriptural and moral foundations the Jews cherished. For many—if not virtually everyone—in the crowd, it was not an evil or hateful heart that cried out to crucify their Lord. It was the sheer emotional passion of the moment and overwhelming social pressure driven by a powerful and influential few. Today we face another critical moment in the history of our shared faith—the faith Jesus died for and that is threatened today by our own division.

            Some of us believe that Same Sex Marriage is an absolute and irrevocable violation of God’s Law and an immoral step toward godless oblivion. We see it as a moral standard that may not be compromised under any circumstances because the Bible forbids it. Scriptures are clear on the topic and there is no defendable reason to think or believe otherwise.

            Some of us believe that Same Sex Marriage is a fulfillment of the very best God has for genuine marriage and should be fully embraced by the church because the Bible commands it. It is a stand that faithful Christians must embrace or risk stepping into a godless oblivion. We see it as a moral standard that may not be compromised under any circumstances because the Bible embraces it. Scriptures are clear on the topic and there is no defendable reason to think or believe otherwise.

            Some of us are confused. We genuinely see both sides, but do not fully understand or embrace either. We also know we are disgusted by the behaviors of our Christian brothers and sisters. Amid the cries of absolute Truth and emotional frenzy to take up one side against the other, we find ourselves pulling away from the Church because we would rather simply trust God than get caught up in the destructive fray that is dividing us.

            Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, we are all Christian and the issue will not go away. It is a reality that is facing our culture and will define the future of the nation. It also could fracture the church. The Christian faith was forged in the death of Jesus Christ. And yet, we seem to be doing more shouting than faithfully talking and seeking understanding. As Christians in the current debate, we must ask, are we truly living out the faith for which Jesus died?   

Published in the Carlsbad Current Argus, Saturday, March 30, 2013

 

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