Passion And Pastoral Persuasions.

Good Friday.

Many know the story. And the temptation is to cast blame at the feet of a seemingly fickle crowd, who shouted praises on Palm Sunday and called for Jesus's crucifixion on Good Friday. (For those of you who may not know the story, see Matthew chapters 26 through 28.) But perhaps this Passion Week we should avoid casting a negative light on the crowd.

What does Scripture say?

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. (Matthew 27:20)

Chief priests and elders. The men loved and trusted and respected by their community. Conducting services, baby dedications, funerals, praying, pronouncing blessings, while wearing vestments that represented their connection to God... even as they kissed the face of the Roman Empire.

Three years ago (yes, I mean 2009) Pastor Sam, in his Palm Sunday sermon What Went Wrong Between Sunday and Friday, said "Don't let anyone do your spiritual thinking for you." It is as relevant a warning now as it was then.

Perhaps it is more relevant now. Earlier this week, in preparation for Holy Week services, I read through parts of the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer. Guess what it says?

Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. (BCP, page 422) It's still in there. Perhaps page 422 was missing from the New Hampshire version of the BCP.

Really, though, this goes beyond New Hampshire. Our brothers and sisters in various little branches of Christianity have been, in effect, offered Barabbas by their chief priests and elders. Trusted leaders. Strong leaders. Masters of persuasion. Successful. Accepted. Tolerated. Persuading the people that God's word is irrelevant, yet fastidiously maintaining the rituals of the faith.

Perhaps these leaders are more prisoner than Barabbas ever was. (see Matthew 27:16)

But Jesus is here! Jesus, the One who came to set the captives free, the One that religious leaders had no power to destroy. Let us pray that every leader held captive by the deception of sin will be set free by the mighty power of the Spirit of the Living God, for the sake of His glory.