On reading Mark 14 this morning, I was reflecting on Jesus' last meal with his disciples before he is betrayed. They're preparing and celebrating the Passover, when Jesus makes the bold announcement, that one of those present at the table will betray him. The Passover is the meal eaten to remember and celebrate God's liberation of the Israelite people from Egypt, during which the first born children of Egypt were killed but the Lord passed over those whose homes were marked with the blood of the lamb on their doorposts.
Familiar as we are with the story, we know that Jesus will be executed, his blood will flow, and we come to perceive him as the new Passover lamb. Just as the lamb was a symbol of the liberation of the Israelites, we view Jesus as the fulfilment of that symbol, as God taking up Godself the sins of the the created order.
Making this connection, we then are not surprised that the betrayal and execution of Jesus happen at Passover. In fact we expect it to be this way. We see it as a positive thing, as ordained timing. God made it happen that way - right?
I wonder if we're missing some brutal irony here. Here at the Passover celebration, with the city filled with the religious elite, and the masses who had come to remember and celebrate God's redeeming action. It may have been perceived as a sacred and holy time, full of religious people, yet in the midst of all this religious action, God is in their midst, and is being readied for execution.
I'm writing from a Christian youth conference where thousands of young people are gathered to join together as a worshipping community. The campus is buzzing with activity and excitement. The hall is packed for worship, and full of energy. We call these "mountain top" experiences for our youth. It's a Passover celebration of sorts. Yet Mark 14 forces me to look closely, and to ask "where is God at work in our midst?". Because the story of the "Last Supper" reveals to us that not only can religious activity miss God, but it can be active in God's crucifixion. A people celebrating God's past activity, who weren't in tune with what God was doing in the present. It's a damning judgement that may not be limited to the religious leaders in the gospel story.
We are called to be a people who live not just in memorial to what God has done, but as citizens of a Kingdom which God is continuing to build.
May our eyes and ears be open to the Spirit of God.
May we know that God is both present, and active.
May we not be fooled by or into religious activity void of God's presence,
and may we boldly and courageously live as the Spirit leads.
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