LENT Based on the Lent Reflective Book “When they Crucified my Lord” by Brother Ramon Week 5 Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble; Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Drawn to the Cross

Mary Magdalene: Lenten darkness, Easter hope Luke 8:1-3, Matthew 27:59-61, John 20:1-2

[] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women…Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out… took the body… and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb… Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed… So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

Mary Magdalene starts us off this week when we shall be looking at a different person each day, who was affected by the cross. Mary had been one of a faithful band of women who followed, and ministered to, and prayed for Jesus during his ministry to others. She had been ‘delivered of seven demons’ by Jesus and consequently gave up everything to follow him. However later, when Jesus was condemned, Mary waited at the foot of the cross, then she waited at the tomb for the sun to rise. She was patiently still serving her Lord. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” We also must learn to wait for God and not always to be busy doing things.

Monday Mark 15:21-22, Romans 16:13 Simon: Carrying his cross When we go on a journey with a purpose, as Simon was from his country home to , we do not expect to be apprehended and given a task to do: “Here, carry this cross!” But what a privilege it turned out to be for Simon. Can we learn not to moan at unexpected events which might turn out to be opportunities? It was a dark and dreadful task Simon was given, but what a bright ending. How did he react when he heard of Jesus rising. I wonder?

Tuesday Matthew 27:50-54 The Centurion: Confession of faith There must have been other crucifixions that the Centurion had witnessed. No doubt the victims on these crosses would be shouting, blaspheming, maybe even crying with pain. But never before had the Centurion witnessed anyone like Jesus, who had earlier implored his Father to forgive those who had persecuted him “for they know not what they do.” Then, when Jesus “breathed his last” the earth shook and rocks were split – quite frightening even for a hardened soldier – then truth dawned on him: “Truly this man was God’s Son.”

Wednesday :32-33,39-43 The penitent Thief: Remember me! On the one side the thief was deriding Jesus: “Save yourself and us if you are the Messiah.” On the other side the thief who repented and beseeched Jesus “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus on the cross in the middle, “divides our world, the good from the evil, the righteous from the wicked, the obdurate from the repentant” (Brother Ramon). Jesus can and does forgive the sins of all who repent, however wicked we may have been. Alleluya!

Thursday John 7:45-52, 19:39-40 : Born from above Nicodemus was a member of the and as such had to set an example to the ordinary people. He heard Jesus speak and wanted to know more so he visited Jesus at night to allow for a private conversation. He was impressed and half way to being converted. Later the Sanhedrin as a body wanted to convict Jesus, but Nicodemus pleaded for a fair trial. After the he again approached by night to ask to take care of Jesus’ body. This was a brave step as people (including the rest of the Sanhedrin) would find out. He would then need to live as a full follower of Jesus.

Friday Luke 23:50-56 : Preparing the tomb Joseph was also a member of the Sanhedrin and he also pleaded Jesus’ case but maybe hand-picked a selected number to conduct Jesus’ trial and Joseph and Nicodemus were ‘suspect’ and not asked. (Brother Ramon). But Joseph went to Pilate, begged to have the body of Jesus and took him to his own tomb hewn from rock. There he and Nicodemus tenderly wrapped the body, probably with a few herbs, ready for the women to see to later. Have we the strength to stand against the crowd to do what is right for Jesus and for our fellow travellers on earth?

Saturday Luke 23:48-49,55-56, Matt 27:61-66 Waiting Women:Cross+tomb Matthew and Mark mention Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of . These women waited patiently at a distance from the cross then later found the tomb, saw the body of Jesus and went away to prepare spices to embalm him. As it was the Sabbath then, they had to wait until the next day. What a surprise they will have had, when, in spite of the enormous, heavy stone, Jesus was no longer there! How do we feel, waiting for God to move in our lives? Oh for Easter Day and the rising of the Son of God! Alleluya!

A Prayer for Lent (by Nick Fawcett) Gracious God, we thank you for the astonishing love you showed in , sharing our humanity through him. We praise you that you became flesh and blood like us, experiencing the same temptations we face, torn by the same fears, suffering the same pain and tasting the same joys and sorrows. For the assurance this brings – the knowledge that you understand the worries, concerns, doubts and problems that confront us each day – receive our worship, in the name of Christ. Amen.