Have you ever considered what it means to believe in a God who dies? It's a challenging concept that strikes at the heart of our faith, especially during Holy Week. As we approach Good Friday, we're confronted with a profound paradox: the intersection of divinity and death.
The Collision of God and Death
In Luke's Gospel, we witness a scene that defies our expectations of an all-powerful deity. Luke 23:33 tells us, "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." This image of Jesus, hanging between two criminals, forces us to grapple with a difficult question: What is to be done with a God who dies?
Our faith often requires us to hold seemingly incompatible ideas in tension. Good Friday magnifies this, placing God and death on a collision course. We're faced with "a God who willingly hangs in solidarity with those ravaged by the forces of injustice and evil" and "a God who refuses to save himself."
The Dance Between Acceptance and Resistance
When it comes to death, we often find ourselves caught between acceptance and resistance. On one hand, we acknowledge our mortality, reminded each Lent that "we are dust and to dust we shall return." On the other, we resist aging, expending considerable effort to delay its signs.
In Luke's account, we see this tension embodied in the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. "One resists while the other accepts. Thus, Jesus literally inhabits the space between resistance and acceptance."
Jesus: The Space Between Resistance and Acceptance
The criminal who resists represents those who reject the idea that God could die. His resistance "echoes through the millennia to this day in those who wish to promote a perversion of Christianity that coerces rather than invites, dominates instead of serves, and derides instead of loves."
In contrast, the accepting criminal recognizes something profound in Jesus. Unlike his counterpart, "he surrenders to both the death before him and the divine beside him, choosing to place his trust in the one whom he hopes will remember him when he enters his kingdom" (Luke 23:42).
The Power of "Good Resistance"
While acceptance can be faithful, there's also a place for what we might call "Good Resistance." Jesus himself resists "empire, violence, and the power and privilege of political domination." This resistance ultimately leads to his acceptance of the cross – the very cross he calls us to take up.
We're called to resist "the forces that decry empathy as weakness, the temptation to respond to violence with violence, and the invitation to join those who mock the image of Christ in those who are rejected, scorned, and derided."
Accepting a God Who Dies
What if we truly accept a God who dies? This acceptance acknowledges that "the divine is not distant or detached from our pain." Instead, we recognize a God who "cares enough about the powerless, the vulnerable, and the downtrodden to hang in solidarity with them until the end."
By accepting this profound truth, we open ourselves to a transformative understanding of God's love. We see that "even in the face of death, there is a deeper truth at play—a truth that transforms despair into hope, loss into love, and darkness into light."
Putting It Into Practice: Embodying Christ's Love and Solidarity
Our acceptance of a God who dies isn't just a theological concept – it's a call to action. We're challenged to embody this love and solidarity in our own lives. Here are some ways we can do this:
As we journey through this Holy Week, let us embrace both the acceptance and resistance that come with following Christ. In the sacred space between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we encounter a God who dies – and in doing so, shows us the true depth of divine love.
The Collision of God and Death
In Luke's Gospel, we witness a scene that defies our expectations of an all-powerful deity. Luke 23:33 tells us, "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." This image of Jesus, hanging between two criminals, forces us to grapple with a difficult question: What is to be done with a God who dies?
Our faith often requires us to hold seemingly incompatible ideas in tension. Good Friday magnifies this, placing God and death on a collision course. We're faced with "a God who willingly hangs in solidarity with those ravaged by the forces of injustice and evil" and "a God who refuses to save himself."
The Dance Between Acceptance and Resistance
When it comes to death, we often find ourselves caught between acceptance and resistance. On one hand, we acknowledge our mortality, reminded each Lent that "we are dust and to dust we shall return." On the other, we resist aging, expending considerable effort to delay its signs.
In Luke's account, we see this tension embodied in the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. "One resists while the other accepts. Thus, Jesus literally inhabits the space between resistance and acceptance."
Jesus: The Space Between Resistance and Acceptance
The criminal who resists represents those who reject the idea that God could die. His resistance "echoes through the millennia to this day in those who wish to promote a perversion of Christianity that coerces rather than invites, dominates instead of serves, and derides instead of loves."
In contrast, the accepting criminal recognizes something profound in Jesus. Unlike his counterpart, "he surrenders to both the death before him and the divine beside him, choosing to place his trust in the one whom he hopes will remember him when he enters his kingdom" (Luke 23:42).
The Power of "Good Resistance"
While acceptance can be faithful, there's also a place for what we might call "Good Resistance." Jesus himself resists "empire, violence, and the power and privilege of political domination." This resistance ultimately leads to his acceptance of the cross – the very cross he calls us to take up.
We're called to resist "the forces that decry empathy as weakness, the temptation to respond to violence with violence, and the invitation to join those who mock the image of Christ in those who are rejected, scorned, and derided."
Accepting a God Who Dies
What if we truly accept a God who dies? This acceptance acknowledges that "the divine is not distant or detached from our pain." Instead, we recognize a God who "cares enough about the powerless, the vulnerable, and the downtrodden to hang in solidarity with them until the end."
By accepting this profound truth, we open ourselves to a transformative understanding of God's love. We see that "even in the face of death, there is a deeper truth at play—a truth that transforms despair into hope, loss into love, and darkness into light."
Putting It Into Practice: Embodying Christ's Love and Solidarity
Our acceptance of a God who dies isn't just a theological concept – it's a call to action. We're challenged to embody this love and solidarity in our own lives. Here are some ways we can do this:
- Stand in the gap: Like Jesus, we're called to stand alongside those who are marginalized, oppressed, and suffering. How can you support those in your community who are often overlooked?
- Resist indifference: Challenge yourself to resist apathy and actively engage with the needs of others. This might mean volunteering, advocating for justice, or simply being more aware of those around you.
- Be a voice for the voiceless: Use your platform, whatever it may be, to speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. This could involve writing to local representatives, sharing important information on social media, or having difficult conversations with friends and family.
- Practice empathy: In a world that often sees empathy as weakness, choose to see it as strength. Take time to truly listen to others and try to understand their experiences.
- Embrace the tension: Remember that faith often involves holding seemingly contradictory ideas in tension. Don't shy away from the difficult questions – wrestle with them and allow them to deepen your faith.
As we journey through this Holy Week, let us embrace both the acceptance and resistance that come with following Christ. In the sacred space between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we encounter a God who dies – and in doing so, shows us the true depth of divine love.
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