Dear Caldwell,
There is an interesting story in the paper today about what Christ did on Holy Saturday. The bottom line the journalist draws is that there are multiple ideas, none conclusive, all depending on the tradition or denomination one follows. When confronted with what seem to be difficult-to-answer questions, I am reminded of a phrase from the Book of Common Worship that is often used during communion: Great is the mystery of faith.
What many Christian traditions do hold in common – through the commonality of the Gospel accounts – is the events that led up to the cross. In that spirit, I share two more of the Magic Lantern slides, with accompanying scripture from the Gospel of John. Past generations at Caldwell, probably well before 1950, gathered to view these slides through an old light projector. Here in the 21st century, we can share them through the internet. And, in this, our centennial year, we can share what is timeless about the Passion story with generations past at Caldwell.
Keep the vigil. Until we see each other tomorrow.
Jesus is Crucified
So they took Jesus;17and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew* is called Golgotha.18There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.19Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth,* the King of the Jews.’20Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew,* in Latin, and in Greek.21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews”, but, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.” ’22Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.’23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.24So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfil what the scripture says,
‘They divided my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.’
25And that is what the soldiers did.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’27Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’29A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.30When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.<!– 31 –>
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed.32Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him.33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.35(He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows* that he tells the truth.)36These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘None of his bones shall be broken.’37And again another passage of scripture says, ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced.’<!– 38 –>
The Burial of Jesus
38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body.39Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.
40They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.41Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid.42And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.