A pastor tells of a...
Illustration
A pastor tells of a woman who participated in dramatic readings from the Passion during
Holy Week. While many churches have been holding such services for many years this
was the first time for that particular church. As a member of the congregation,
representing the crowd, she was supposed to shout, "Let him be crucified!" Saying those
words is often a significant moment for those who take part. There are some people
whose faith has been kindled, or rekindled, at that moment.
After the service, several people were standing around at the coffee hour talking about how moving the service had been. People were especially talking about how they had felt when they shouted, "Let him be crucified!" At this point, the woman said with considerable energy, "I just couldn't do it! I just couldn't say it! I just couldn't say such an awful thing!" She could not say those words, "Let him be crucified!"
Upon reflection, the pastor notes, "in her stubborn blindness, she could not identify herself as a sinner like the rest of us. She could not admit that she, too, was capable of evil thoughts and malicious deeds. She was preoccupied with her own virtue and her own religiousness. Because of this, she could not see who Jesus is or who she is."
After the service, several people were standing around at the coffee hour talking about how moving the service had been. People were especially talking about how they had felt when they shouted, "Let him be crucified!" At this point, the woman said with considerable energy, "I just couldn't do it! I just couldn't say it! I just couldn't say such an awful thing!" She could not say those words, "Let him be crucified!"
Upon reflection, the pastor notes, "in her stubborn blindness, she could not identify herself as a sinner like the rest of us. She could not admit that she, too, was capable of evil thoughts and malicious deeds. She was preoccupied with her own virtue and her own religiousness. Because of this, she could not see who Jesus is or who she is."
