The “Daily Devos” are authored by my colleague and friend, Phil Brandt, and may contain edits and adaptations by yours truly.
Good Friday – Passion according to St. Matthew
This reading is the entirely of chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. What does one say by way of meditation on that?
I suggest you watch and listen to a little video “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”: https://www.facebook.com/bachfestmalaysia/videos/521053865475858/
The sounds of the video are completely original, all recorded with each member’s cell phone. The video was done in less than 36 hours, from compiling to the final product. We would like to thank all our musicians who contributed to this project with such short notice.
The video is from the Bach Festival in Malaysia. Who knew such a thing existed? It was shared with Phil by a dear friend of his. It is a little disconcerting to see Malaysians singing in German, but that is the point I want to make. Pay attention to the words (they are printed in English at the bottom of the screen.) This Friday which we strangely label “Good” draws our attention to Christ serving the whole world. People in the ancient Roman Empire, people in modern day America, Germany, Malaysia, and every other corner of this benighted globe.
A few chapters earlier, in Matthew 20, on his way to Jerusalem, we hear Jesus make this startling claim:
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
When we read his passion, we read the account of the Son of Man doing what he says in chapter 20: serving all and giving his life for the ransom of the whole world.
What does it mean that Christ gave his life for the ransom of you?
How might we give our life for the ransom of another? Especially, in these days…
The company of all the saints! Thank you for reminding us how God draws us into community (just like PC said in the sermon last night), even when we feel isolated and alone. He was really isolated and alone on this day, so we’d never have to be.