Wednesday 06 April 2022

Psalm 55

Background

It would have been a comedy were it not a tragedy happening before our very eyes. Myself and Samuel, two young friends, one very thin and one very fat, were sitting relaxed on a white sandy beach one Saturday. Suddenly we noticed a surfboard with a slumped body precariously balanced over it with the surfer battling the sea to bring the drowned person back to terra firma. With no hesitation Samuel and I – the most unlikely lifeguards – launched a rescue mission. Out of the sea, we laid the drowned person head down and feet up using the natural incline of the beach. We drained his belly of water and helped him to breathe again with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Once breathing, we decided to get him to the car so we could take him to hospital. Carrying him in my arms and running on soft sand, I tripped over and we both ended up lying helplessly on the hot sand. I am pleased to report that, in spite of my falling over and my embarrassing weaknesses, all was well. The young man was saved and had completely recovered by the end of the day.

The suffering of Christ re-enacted at Lent is the effort of a ‘powerless’ saviour. His full dedication to his mission – costly as it was – saved the world by his dying on the Cross. Pilate, the representative of dominating power and guarantor of the status quo had washed his hands of any responsibility. Jesus, the representative of powerlessness and of the Divine took the mission of salvation head on. No wonder some can’t believe. But Christ has and will deliver the world by the power of the Cross. The Cross, which is the symbol of powerlessness, is at the centre of the Christian faith.

To Ponder:

• To what extent can God’s salvation in Christ be described as the underdog’s rescue of the world?
• 'Soft power' is the ability to attract or persuade people rather than coerce them. Is redemption in Christ the result of soft power?
• What would be the consequences of putting your faith in soft power?

Prayer

Jesus, I will trust in you alone, in your mercies and consolation and in your transforming power. Amen.