ZPCBlog

About the author: John Hicks, and his wife Linda, have been members of ZPC for over 25 years. John has served as a Deacon, he continues to be a member of the ZPC Choir, and he coordinates the activities of the Community Assistance Ministry. John and Linda are blessed with two daughters, their spouses, and two grandsons.

Luke 23:26-43

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Devotional

Today’s passage covers so much detail of Jesus Christ’s final, painful journey to Calvary. There’s the portion of the procession where Simon from Cyrene is forced to carry the cross for Jesus while walking behind him; the hoisting of Jesus onto the wooden cross for crucifixion between two criminals rightfully being convicted of their crimes; and, the Roman soldiers dividing up his clothes by casting lots. However, the portion of this passage on which I would like to focus comes from verses 28–31, as Jesus says, …….“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then ‘“They will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!’” For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

What is Jesus communicating to the grieving women by using the analogy of a tree that is green and a dry one? Well, a tree that is green is a living tree, and one that is withering and dry is dying. During Jesus’ 3-year ministry on Earth he transformed the lives of those willing to hear his message; however, he seems to foretell the destruction Israel will face if it does not cling to the Good News his disciples will continue to preach. This warning equally applies to our current times. Consider how easily one can be pulled into the enticements that our society offers. If we do not hold fast to the Gospels’ pronouncements of God’s grace, our souls will continue to dry out as we gravitate toward earthly desires. This sacred Holy Week serves as a reminder for all Christians to remain steadfast in the Living Word. Our goal is to remain green and growing until the time we are called home.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for this most powerful and reflective week of the year. Help us to remember and thank you each day for the sacrifice your son made for us by bearing our sins on the cross. Help us to remain green and growing in our faith in you each and every day. 
In Christ’s name,
Amen

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