Savannah Burch, Associate Director of Student Ministries

Matthew 27:33-37

And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered [Jesus] wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Reflection:

Have you ever found yourself trapped in a hard conversation or situation that you can’t get out of? In the last week I’ve had two people dear to me gently suggest that perhaps I shouldn’t be working in ministry because I’m a woman. Not only am I in the wrong job, but my heart and therefore my standing with God are wrong, too. Normally, I’d just click “unfollow” or, if in person, fake an emergency phone call/important meeting/dentist’s appointment that I just remembered and I really can’t miss (so sorry!) and get the heck out of there. But these weren’t strangers on the internet. They were loved ones who have known me for years. I couldn’t just walk out of the coffee shop or abruptly hang up the phone, so I struggled with the temptation to check out mentally – to separate myself from hurtful words and the people saying them.

In the moments after Jesus’ beatings, Roman soldiers offered him a peculiar drink common in that day- wine mixed with gall, a bitter herb that was either an analgesic (pain reliever) or a poison, depending on your source. When faced with the imminent reality of his death, standing already battered and bleeding, Jesus was given an opportunity to check out—go away mentally, or possibly even cut his time on the cross to the bare minimum, depending on the strength of the wine and gall mixture. 

But Jesus didn’t take it. He didn’t drink from this “cup” of wine and gall; he chose to drink from the cup that was set before him long ago. Jesus chose to stay. He chose to stay fully present, fully engaged with humanity – his own and ours – to the end. This choice, this love, brings me to my knees. I would have chosen the cup containing the short, easy, bitter way out—the way Jesus refused to take. My situation doesn’t hold a candle to what Jesus suffered at Golgotha, but his actions once again stand as both a guide and a source of hope. Because he chose to stay present on the cross, I can take courage and stay present when everything in me begs for the safety of like-mindedness and easy, uncomplicated relationships, knowing that Jesus does not leave me to face these unpleasantries alone. The savior who chooses to stay present through his suffering on the cross is the same savior who chooses to stick with us time and time again. 

Prayer:

Gracious and loving God, I admit that there are many times when I feel the urge to check out, to avoid conflict in favor of self-preservation. Whenever I face difficult situations, grant me the peace and hope I need to persevere, reminding me that you who persevered through the pain on the cross will continue to persevere with me. Amen.