by Pamela Ellis, Ph.D.

Why did Jesus have to die?  What did he do that was wrong?  What crime did He commit? 

Imagine Jesus being at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA in the Year 2011 with friends, a place that he might frequent in that it would be a garden...a Garden of Gethsemane, a place where he was accustomed to meeting with those who enjoyed his companionship.  

Upon the departure of Jesus and friends from the Italian Gardens, a group of men with lanterns, torches, and weapons appears.  Jesus, knowing what was to come, goes forward to them to ask, “Who are you looking for?” 

They answer him, “Jesus the Nazorean.”

He says to them, “I AM.”
Judas his betrayer was also with them.
When he says to them, “I AM, “ 
they turn away and fall to the ground.
So He again ask them,
“Whom are you looking for?”
They say, “Jesus the Nazorean.”
Jesus answers,
“I told you that I AM.
So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” 

Simon Peter, who has a sword, draws it, 
strikes the high priest’s servant, and cuts off his right ear.
The servant’s name is Malchus.
Jesus says to Peter,
“Put your sword into its scabbard.
Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”

And Jesus touches Malchus’ ear and heals him.  (John 18:4-11, Luke 22:51) 

What?  Why was Jesus given a cup; a cup of suffering, by His loving Holy Father? 

How many modern day parents can rationalize any suffering, i.e. the sacrifice of inordinate amounts of toys, money, clothes, vacations or the performance of community service from their children for others...not to mention the thought of well-conceived government social service programs paid for by tax dollars for others?

Oh yes, for others… for those in this world without the basic necessities of life on an ongoing basis due to the vagaries, i.e., uncertainties of life on this planet. 

Would they not, instead, believe that their child’s self-esteem, and indirectly their own, would be jeopardized if they did not give them, practically all, that could possibly be fathomed or desired even though their choice would mean stark deprivation for others? 

Who are we?  What kind of people have we become, or even have always been?

We are people who make a daily choice to live either for God or, totally, for our own social, ethnic, class, or nationhood identification due to greed, as a quite possible unacknowledged reason. 

God, the Father, prepared the Lamb, Jesus, before the foundation of the earth. He knew, beforehand, our desperate need, and also our desires, that are often so very contrary to our best interest, as well as the interests of others. (John 1:29, Isaiah 49:6, Jeremiah 1:5) 

Oh, but for His finished work on the cross on our behalf, we could have not done this on our own...enter into His Holy Presence. 

In our search for Jesus, now and for all eternity, let us consider how we may meet the needs of others, as he has done for us, subsequently acting towards eliminating the legitimate concerns of those ill-treated by the world systems in place. 

Are we, too, destined to die?  (Luke 9:23-25)  “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gain the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost?” 

The leaders of the day were insanely jealous of Jesus’ popularity and success as a teacher.  So in their minds, there was only one of two alternatives.  Jesus had to be silenced.  Jesus had to die.  

Have you encountered irrational reactions from others due to your God-given aspirations?  Do you believe that you have encountered people who desire success and happiness for your life, or the opposite; people who exhibit tendencies of deprivation, isolation, or even as desired for Jesus, death? 

May we celebrate with thanksgiving and perseverance anew the life found in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as individuals and communities.  Although, first we must take and crucify base desires, thoughts, and actions that do not emanate from our love for God, ourselves, and others, Oh Lord, on your historical cross…a modern, contemporary crucifixion…in the Year 2011.  

Dear Reader, your comments are certainly appreciated...