April 8, 2001

by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Legend tells us that it was the dog wood tree on which our savior was crucified. Today it hardly looks tall and strong. It is twisted and its blossoms blush pink like the stains of blood.

Can you remember a time when you were embarrassed? Perhaps a spilled drink on a brand new carpet -- a forgotten anniversary or birthday -- or a spoken word you wish you hadn't said. If you only had a second chance to make it right.

The life and the ministry of Jesus is filled with embarrassing situations. Jesus had an uncanny ability - to make a point and to be uncomfortable with those who had different expectations of him. The embarrassed elders in last week's gospel who dropped their stones -- recognizing their own sinfulness -- nevertheless ran away from him and lost an opportunity to witness mercy at its fullest..

Jesus came to the poor - the disenfranchised - the powerless - the nobodies of the world who experience daily -- the rejection - the icy stares of souls without love. To bring to those whom the world considers nobodies - the reassurance that in God's eyes we are all truly somebody -- God's children.

His ministry was dedicated to poor , sick, rejected souls whom the powerful consider failures. With outstretched arms he embraces their life and absolves the soul with love.

Some would receive his message with great enthusiasm and zeal. Crowds would welcome him as king crying: Hosanna in the highest. But this king assumed his humble position. He did not enter on a great white steed - the symbol of victory and power. He rode in on a borrowed, unbroken colt - the foal of a donkey -- This king was a laughing stock and the fickle crowds turned against Him; Crucify Him they hollered over and over.

They said that an ass is a stubborn and fickle animal; but is it any more stubborn fickle than the human animal.

Those who wanted so much to embrace Him were embarrassed by Him. And so they nailed his arms to beams of wood -- beams of rejection. If Jesus had not taken upon himself, this foolish ministry, he could have had the kingdoms of the world as we heard Satan promise in the first Sunday of Lent.

But we would not have been healed. We would not have been saved. An UN-CRUCIFIED LOVE IS AN IMPOTENT LOVE. Un-crucified love has only feeling. It has no desire of the heart. It touches only the surface and has no power to heal.

Because he humbled himself, God exalted Him. Foolishness to the unbeliever -- but to us who are saved. We praise the crucified. We honor the cross. because it is the instrument by which he has saved us and the world.