"A Mockery of Justice" - Sermon for Good Friday

A Mockery of Justice
Good Friday – Narrative Lectionary 2
March 25, 2016
Grace, Mankato, MN
Mark 15.16-39

Last evening, we remembered the part of the Jesus story spent with his disciples at the Last Supper. That most intimate of meals with his closest friends ended with Jesus predicting their desertion, denial and abandonment. After that meal, they go to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus engages in fervent prayer and where sleeping is more important than watching. (Modern day pundits have the disciples texting while Jesus is praying.) It is here that Judas’ betrayal bears fruit and Jesus is arrested by the temple guard. He is then “tried” before the religious ruling council where it was decided he was worthy of death, a death that could only come at the hands of the Roman government.

Before Pilate could even question Jesus, Peter does indeed deny Jesus three times and the cock crows in response. In a tightly worded narrative, Pilate questions Jesus and is forced to hand him over for crucifixion, preferring to sacrifice one innocent man to forestall a riot by a mob. We heard a few moments ago the mockery of Jesus by numerous characters in the drama: Pilate’s soldiers, the religious leaders, the criminals at Jesus’ right and left hands, and the crowds. There’s no need for Mark to relate the gory details. Not only would the early readers be familiar with the brutality of crucifixion, Jesus’ cry of forsakenness and utter abandonment speaks volumes.

As we watch and listen, we are tempted to stand emotionally distant, believing these events haven’t anything to do with us. But, deep down we know better, because it has everything to do with us; it is our story, too. Each gospel writer emphases a particular aspect of Jesus’ death and for Mark it is Jesus’ kingship. Of course, Jesus isn’t the king they were expecting, but he is king nonetheless. It is also appealing to claim that, unlike the leaders, soldiers and crowd, we know him as king even if they don’t. Yet, if we are honest, we know we don’t really treat him as a king, not any more than the decorative kings we read about in other countries. In other words, we fail to stop and come to grips that Jesus really is King of our lives and all that entails.

Not recognizing Jesus as king means a number of things. One thing I think it means is that we make a mockery of him and his rule whenever we exchange an authentic version of the life he came to bring for a cheap one. We sell our souls cheaply. But, on Good Friday the cross of Jesus Christ nudges its way into our souls, pushing us to admit there are things that get in the way. There are things that we’ve allowed to be rulers of our lives, things that keep us from the life God has for us. Some of them are good things, such as our possessions or our relationships or various activities. Some are downright demonic: anger, hurt, resentment, jealousy and the rest of the seven deadly sins. On Good Friday, it’s our delusions that get crucified.

There are many theories about what Jesus’ death means and does, but I prefer Martin Luther’s. In short, he says that Jesus takes all of the yuckiness of our life and willingly exchanges it for his righteousness. And that’s what I’m going to invite you to do tonight, to write down on that slip of paper the biggest thing that’s making it hard to live the life God intends and place it on the cross.

As you do, I want you to remember, as David Lose says, that God doesn’t hold back, that God is determined to join God’s own self to us so completely that we might live in hope and courage. For this king is the King of Love, who loves us until it hurts and then loves us some more. Amen.