jesus

At the Cross

Today is Saturday – Between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday – a day to contemplate. Here’s what I have been thinking about:

Mary, Mary, Mary

Four women are easily identified at the crucifixion. In all these lists, one particular name, Mary, pops up many times. Count the total times it shows up in these verses: 

  • Matthew 27:56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
  • Mark 15:40 – Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph[fn]), and Salome. (NLT)
  • John 19:25 – Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. (NLT)

How many Mary’s did you count? Did you count Mary, the mother of Jesus 3 times, even though she is named only once? Either way, you have to admit there are a lot of Mary’s listed in these verses – all clumped together right here at Calvary, at the cross.

Sadly, over the course of human history, rebellion against God has become the normal way of living for humans. The gapping difference between His good plan for mankind and our reality is well beyond our ability to understand or repair. At the crucifixion we are reminded that we are rebellious creatures.

In Hebrew tradition, repetition indicates exponential importance of the thing named. Let’s take a look at “Mary.” Mary comes from the Hebrew name “Miriam.” The root of the name comes from a Hebrew word meaning bitter or rebellious. The related action verb means “to be rebellious against; to be disobedient; to disobey.” So why would all this “rebellion” be at the crucifixion? 

Let’s think about the greatest rebellion which has included humanity. In a pristine world where everything had been declared good or very good, one woman and one man chose to add “and evil” to their lives. That first bite opened the door for brokenness, heartache, and bitterness to enter the world. Every generation since then has lived in a world where good and evil battle for their souls.

But in the midst of all that rebellion stands a cross. On this cross, a great exchange took place.  It is described in these lists of names by the phrase “Mary, wife of Clopas.” Clopas is a Greek name with Hebrew roots meaning “my exchanges.” At the Cross, Jesus exchanged His sinless life for our disobedient, obstinate, and bitter life filled with sin. His death redeemed our broken world and made way for the many exchanges we need to make to become more like Him.  Who but a compassionate, merciful rebel would die for our sins? 

Is it possible for us to join this rebellion? Consider how “Mary, the mother of Jesus” started participated. God sent an angel to tell her of the good plan He had for her life. She was chosen to be the one who would give birth to His One and Only Son. She could start a different kind of rebellion, the invasion to set things right on earth, by giving birth to the King of Glory. Even though she didn’t fully understand it, she willingly accepted the assignment and became a willing vessel.

The plan for our lives may not be so grand, but we start by becoming a willing vessel and accepting the great exchange He offers. We invite Jesus to be Lord of the only part of this world we fully control – our own soul. We thank Him for the great exchange He made for us personally and accept His good plan for our life. Then, we ask Him to help us learn to live like Him. We get involved in a community that lives like He did. We can recognize these communities because they love like Jesus loved. They follow His word and do what Jesus did and they share his goodness with others. We allow Jesus to make us a rebel who changes the world from the inside out with compassion, grace, and mercy!

After that, then what? Consider Mary Magdalene. Her entire life story was a series of changes that made her like the One she loved most. When Jesus met her, she was a prisoner of evil in the battle over her soul. Jesus casted seven demons out of her and she followed Him closely even after his burial. She was the first person to see the Risen Savior and the first carrying the good news of the Resurrection to Peter and John. We can be like her. She is an excellent example of a devoted rebel to the Redeemer, because she stayed close to His side and did what He did. 

Do you need to accept an exchange offered and change from one kind of rebel to another? Talk to the One who was on the Cross. He’s waiting with open arms for you.

3 Hymns, 1 Message

This past weekend, we attended the memorial service for one of the most loving, caring women I have known. I met Ann nearly thirty years through my husband. She was his colleague and she became my mentor and supervisor while I completed practicum hours for my counseling degree. Ann always had a smile. She always made time when I needed to consult or just chat and she always had words of wisdom to share with me. Often over the years, when I faced a difficult situation, I asked myself, “If I were talking to Ann about this, what would she tell me?”

Ann loved the Lord and trusted Him completely. I never remember her become frazzled or worried about things, even when they didn’t seem to be working out the way they should. When she saw a need, she worked to find a solution that also created peace and harmony among all those involved. She was creative and knew how to say things – even hard things – in ways that were easy to understand without blaming or shaming others. She served the Lord with her whole heart. She loved God’s word, knew the treasure it held and lived by its principles. 

I wasn’t surprised by hymns at Ann’s service. They were dispersed in the order service. “The Old Rugged Cross” is a favorite of many older Christians. It tells of the pain and agony our Savior suffered at Calvary in order to provide a way of salvation for the inhabitants of the world. It reminds us that in the midst of His agony, our lives were forever changed. “Jesus Loves Me” is a common children’s song. The first verse is one learned by youngsters around the world. The following verses explain that He loved, He loves, and He will love. The simple song makes the Savior’s love personal. And “Just As I Am” has been heard all around the world in large evangelism meetings as the hymn of invitation and the promise of acceptance. He turns no one away.

As I was thinking of Saturday’s hymns, these thoughts came to mind: When I fail and make mistakes, I go to the cross and He welcomes me. When I feel insecure and weak, I go to the cross and His arms are opened wide for me. When I am prideful and arrogant, I go to the cross and see His humility and willingness to be wounded for me. When I don’t use the gifts and talents He gives me, I go to the cross and He forgives. He went to Calvary for me knowing I would falter in my walk with Him. When the enemy tells me my past is too unredeemable, I run to the cross and see Truth who loves me. When others ignore me, disrespect me, or harm me, I go to the cross and lift my head to look into His loving eyes. He still loves me just as I am, even though others don’t. When I am misunderstood, I go to the place I will never completely understand and thank Him for His love, His mercy, and His grace. His kindness. His goodness. And His faithfulness. His arms are always open – to welcome me, to comfort me, to remind me that He loves me just as I am.  

Oh, Ann. Thank you for a life that reflected His love, His goodness, and His kindness. And thank you for this one last reminder – at the old rugged cross, Jesus loves me just as I am.  

Heavenly Father, Help me remember this important fact and share this good news with others. Help me love everyone I meet just as they are and introduce them to You and the old rugged cross where they can experience your love – just as they are.

Today in history: Simon, Alexander, Rufus

We know very little about Simon. He was from Cyrene, an African city over 850 miles from Jerusalem. He arrived in Jerusalem Friday morning for Passover, but this wouldn’t be any ordinary Passover. Simon was forced from the crowd to participate in an event that changed eternity. 

Matthew, Mark, and Luke record Simon’s conscription to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha. But Mark provides details about Simon’s family. His two sons, Alexander and Rufus, were with him. 

Simon’s name comes from a Hebrew verb meaning “to hear, to listen, to obey.” This kind of listening includes hearing with understanding and with a heart intent on following through with action. People in crisis and chaos (both the helpers and those in the midst) want others to do this kind of listening.

“Alexander” is a name created by combining two Greek words, “man” and “defender” and Rufus’ Latin roots simply means “red.” 

That morning, on the Via Dolorosa, surrounding Simon were these messages: The Defender of Men covered in His own red blood is here! 

Heavenly Father, Do Mark’s details highlight Your answer to human hearts, even as it was happening? “Mankind, I have heard your cry for deliverance. Your defender is here. He is red, covered in His precious blood.”

And do You continue to remind us, even in the midst of chaos and turmoil in 2024, to “Listen closely and do what you have seen and heard from this One covered in His own red blood, your defender, your rescuer, and your healer!”

Do you know your defender?