Friday, October 2, 2009

A Little Further Explanation

I posted a video last Sunday that was pretty shocking. I know it doesn't exactly go with the usual postings I have here about more pleasant things- family, gardening, my job as a church musician, or the general musings of an ordinary person.

I did receive one comment about the video, from Rose, who always seems to respond so thoughtfully, and a couple of comments from friends in person, and I wanted to respond myself. I thought what I wanted to say, in clarification of my reasons for posting it, would be a little longer than usual for the comment section, so I'll just turn it into today's post.

I try to read blogs written by ministry people from all over the country, and of many different denominational perspectives, as a way of broadening and deepening my understanding of Scripture and experience of the Christian life. It's been a tremendous blessing. What I receive at my own church is outstanding, no question, but I still think reading widely (and reading blogs is no different from reading anything else) is just part of keeping one's self sharp in ministry. So, first of all, I would encourage everyone to to do this. Don't just focus on the ones you are most aligned with. Read widely.

Once in while, as in the case of this particular video, some truth just leaps out and jars my world.

When Mark Driscoll talked about the stinking Roman sponge, like Rose, I had to spend a few days processing that new information. I thought about whether I should post the video; it was gross. Would people find it beyond offensive?

Then I thought, "I should schedule this post for Good Friday next spring, when it would really be most appropriate." I still might do that- repeat the post, I mean. I thought about compartmentalizing this new insight into the Passion of Christ into that short season, when Christians allow themselves to let their guard down for a few days (or weeks, if you reflect on Lent).

In the end, I felt that it was something that maybe others would see the way I was coming to see it: a reminder that there is a program running quietly in the background of my life, that affects everything about my life, every day of my life, through the life I will live here on Earth and on into the future eternity- that Christ allowed himself to be tortured and killed for my sake.

Shame on me for going days, or maybe, sometimes, weeks, without thinking about that. Thank you, Pastor Mark Driscoll, for making this insight available to all of us via one of the most blessed and cursed of human instruments, the internet.

8 comments:

Rose said...

I wanted to say in my last comment that I found the video appalling, but I was afraid that would come across as meaning I was offended by the video. No, not at all. I meant the fact that Christ suffered yet another humiliation than those I knew about was appalling to me. That humbled me even more, making me think about his sacrifice for us more deeply.

Thank you for your kind comments on my last post, and for always providing something thought-provoking to share with us here. I'm sure you reached many more readers than those who commented either here or personally to you.

Susan T said...

I had a similar reaction, appalled not offended, but convicted again of that great sacrifice for my sake. And the realization that the absolute last taste in our Lord's mouth was the stench and filth that humanity has become. We are so far from our glorious creation.

I'm still processing the information and glad you chose not to delay posting it til Good Friday. There is great value in taking on this issue on its own and I think it lends an intensity to the realization that what I perceived as a possibly humane act (although vinegar to assuage thirst seems horrible) was nothing more than the final human insult. I didn't know this information before I watched this and I must admit that I am once again overwhelmed by the depth of our sin and by the awe of this sacrifice for us.

Marcie said...

It's been so long since you've posted Joyce. I hope that all is well.

Rose said...

Wishing you a blessed Christmas, Joyce!

C. Marie Byars said...

Hi. You don't seem to be posting much. You O.K.?

Joyce said...

Thanks for asking, but I'm fine! I really just don't seem to have much to post about now, and I don't want to keep posting just for the sake of posting. I may pick it back up sometime in the near future.

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