Editorial: A Passion Week marked by suffering and rejoicing

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

3085 Edition
April 11-17, 2011

Editorial



Editorial: A Passion Week marked by suffering and rejoicing



Translated by Lydia Ma



The first Passion Week nearly 2,000 years ago was perhaps the most dramatic and 
cataclysmic sequence of events ever in human history. The week began with 
Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on a colt, greeted like a king by multitudes 
shouting “Hosanna!” This crowd had most likely waited decades or since the 
Maccabean revolt before seeing the rise of a champion with potential to 
overthrow the much-hated Roman authorities.

Had they followed Jesus around prior to that week, it was obvious at that 
moment that they were oblivious or disinterested in Jesus’ real message. But 
when it became apparent that Jesus wasn’t going to satisfy the people’s 
hysteria or satisfy their thirst to avenge Roman rulers, the crowd wasted no 
time in turning their anger against him instead.

Faced with a similar crazed mob a few days later, it was no wonder Pontius 
Pilate very quickly realized people were quickly getting out of control and 
pacified them by freeing Barabbas and crucifying Jesus.

Were they wrong to expect a deliverer? Not at all. But Jesus’ destiny was more 
than what they’d ever dreamed of – he was going to be a savior, not merely a 
conqueror or a magician. He wasn’t going to bring about salvation through brute 
force.

The power God displayed through Moses would manifest itself again through Jesus 
– albeit in a completely different manner – and both would serve the same 
purpose of delivering God’s people. God’s power through Jesus would be 
displayed through Jesus’ humility, crucifixion, passion, forgiveness, and death.

Suffering is an unavoidable part of human life and for this reason the Son of 
God was sent to the world – so that he would share in our human suffering and 
bring us hope through his resurrection. This ultimate triumph over suffering is 
at the core of a Christian’s belief. People often say the “process” is more 
important than the “outcome”, but in this case, the “outcome” is just as 
important and just as certain because Jesus rose again in glory.

That being said, when we observe Passion Week this year and remember the 
process Jesus went through, let us also participate in it with Jesus and the 
rest of this suffering world.

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