Prayer Guide, Week Six Thursday
Jesus dies
Reason
We are almost at the end of Tim’s Gym. Good Friday and Easter worship are an essential element in this process. Make sure you are there, and enter deeply into both. At the end of this reflection the exercises for the weekend are listed. This guide will take a couple of days to process - so don’t rush it.
Over the weekend we assume you will have social and family engagements. Don’t forget that family and community are more important than rigorous adherence to the disciplines. And, on Sunday you should ensure there is an element of actual feasting to celebrate the resurrection, and to mark the end of this journey. (Be careful though - your body has trained itself not to rely on sugar, fat, salt and alcohol. Too much feasting may have unintended consequences.)
For today:
As Jesus died, the veil of the Temple was miraculously torn in two, the earth shook, rocks split, tombs were opened and many who had died came out of their graves.
Jewish tradition was that on hearing of the death of a loved one, someone would tear their shirt open - over their heart. The Holy of Holies is the nearest thing to the heart of God available to the Jewish religion. The Father cries out his grief in this powerful display.
The Holy of Holies was the place of deepest meeting with God. Only the right person, at the right time, in the right way, once a year could enter. Now - from the front door - anyone can see all the way in. Any time. All they have to do is look.
John’s Gospel recounts the piercing of Christ's side by a soldier. The veil of Jesus’ flesh is torn. The veil of the temple is torn too. From Christ's side come water and blood. A new form of worship - Baptism and Communion rather than the old way.
Read
Choose one or two of the following:
Matthew 27:50–55
Mark 15:38–41
Luke 23:47–49
John 19:31–37
Mark 15:38–41
Luke 23:47–49
John 19:31–37
Reflection:
Look at the people watching. They have thrown insults and jibes at Jesus. I imagine Jesus rending the heavens with his last scream. “Tetelestai” and suddenly: earthquake, eclipse, dreadful rumours from the temple, dead saints clearly visible.
What do you notice happening in the crowd as this massive display of divine presence breaks out?
Take the position of the women who watch from a distance. Jesus' mother is there, along with some of the women who went with him on his journeys. They have a sense that they will be responsible for the burial. The men have almost all disappeared.
What are they feeling? What are they thinking?
Respond
Like the women - we gaze at this scene. The terrible, wasteful, death dealing, horrifyingly ordinary scene in the Roman empire. It’s all gone. Just emptiness now. Dashed hopes? Wretched remorse? Second guessing how we could have stopped this from happening? Hatred for the priests and all they stand for? Desire for revenge against Herod and Pilate? That personal grief that only comes in the face of violent, sudden death.
Enter this weekend in the posture of the women - just looking at Jesus. Powerless? Too angry to be afraid? Conflicted? A growing awareness that there can be more trouble ahead?
Sit quietly for a day or two. During this time, think about life after Tims Gym.
Which of the disciplines you are now familiar with will help “Christ to be formed in you”, and therefore should become a regular part of your life in the Spirit.
- Lectio Divina reading of scripture?
- Silent prayer?
- Solitude?
- Fasting?
- Abstinence?
- Mutual submission?
- Something else?
How valuable was it to debrief with others on the same journey? If it was helpful, consider forming your own small table. Have a look at the ancient paths website for more ideas about how to do that and what to expect. Until we do a rewrite, there is information about Small Tables in the Tim's Gym area, as well as under the small tables tab. (Ancient Paths is building its new website now. For the moment the material is loaded on ancientpaths.website. This will be decommissioned soon as the new one comes on line.)
Was it helpful to have some “rules” to follow during this time. If so - think about a “rule of life”. We organise our rule around four headings.
- What will I do to build rhythm and ritual around my walk with God?
- How will I learn more about the Lord, myself, my world and the Kingdom?
- Who will I serve in Jesus name?
- Who will I walk with on the journey and how will we walk together?
(Again - much more on the website.)
How will I build the silence of the Spirit into my days? What do I do about “It’s one thing to be silent in the silence. It’s another thing to take the silence into the noise”
As you think these things through over the Easter weekend, write down your conclusions. It will be very helpful to share this with someone. Maybe call one last meeting of your Tim’s Gym cell to do that.
It’s been a joy to walk with you so far. Onwards now.
From glory to yet more glory!
From faith to yet greater faith!