The way to Crucification
Preaching
proclaimed by Rev.Sakae Tomokawa at Tajiri Church on March 28th
2021
Mathew
27:32 through 44th
tells how Jesus was crucified on the cross. The passage tells not
only Jesus’s
passion but also every Christians’
way how to follow Jesus. When Jesus was forced to carry the cross,
they happened to meet a man called Simon from Cyrene. Mark tells at
15;21 in Jesus’s
passion
narrative
as follows “
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, carry
his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and
Rufus”.
Romans also tells at 16:13 as follows “
Greet Rufus, chosen in the lord; and greet his mother—a
mother tome also”.
Many
people assume this Simon believed Jesus as his savior
later on. No one knows how and what happened to him. There
is one thing we are sure about Simon is this. He carried the cross
and followed behind Jesus . But we should
not forget he was forced to carry the cross compulsorily not with
his will. We have many reasons to become a Christian. Our faith
brings us joy and appreciation and sometimes require patience and
greif. We should not forget about it.
I
believe Simon felt the weight of the cross. I imagine he saw Jesus’
death and heard Jesus said. So Simon could believe love of God Jesus
told.
Please
take a close look at what people, the elders, the chief priests and
the scribes did to Jesus. They were mocking him saying “
He saved others; he cannot save himself….let
him come down from the cross now and we will believe in him. A German
theologian Walter Luthi writes “
high ranking people cries Jesus on the cross saying save himself. A
multitude cries the same thing . Soldier also cries the same. This
cry “
save himself “
is our cry. But Jesu did not come down the cross even though he can.
The words of “
if you are son of God, come down from the cross”
is the same tempted Jesus in the wilderness. That
temptation is dealing with miracle and money and fame people are
eagerly after. We human being are weak in these matters.. There are
so many religions that help us make those things come true easily.
It could happen to anyone. It was a time “
church growth”
was so popular back in late 1970 through 1980. That idea is that the
bigger is the better. But things has changed darastically due to
Covid-19 Coronavirus. This Coronavirus sounds an alarm bell on this
way of thinking.
Tajiri church is very small . Let us continue to live in hope
following Jesus’
way of living “
The way to Crucification: Love of God: It is more blessed to give
than to receive”.