A Disappointing Response

A Disappointing Response – Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent, and through these 40 days we move toward the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus and Easter. The scripture from Luke for today is a scene where Jesus is brought before Pilate, then before Herod. In each case, Jesus does not really respond to their questions. Our Pastor of Spiritual Formation, the Rev. Will McLeane, delivers the sermon and gives examples of Biblical figures, such as Moses and Daniel, who stand up to authority, but here is Jesus who does not. Will also likens this non-responsive Jesus to the scenes and training of the sit-in demonstrations where protesters were trained not to respond to the taunts of those around them. In some situations, the non-response of Jesus can be, for us, disappointing, as we would rather he correct those who are taunting him, but it is instructive for us, giving us faith that in our own confrontational experiences, God is with us as God was with Jesus. This can liberate us from our cycles of anger and revenge and transform us from our expectations.