This Lent we follow Jesus as he faces evil in the hours before his death. What is evil? Who is doing evil against Jesus during Passion Week? What are ways in which we are complicit in evil? Do we take evil seriously? As we experience evil in our own lives, discover how Jesus stands in the face of evil.
Invocation
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, who delivers us from all evil.
Invitation Prayer
Lord, you know the evil that comes when we are alone. You prayed in the Garden while your friends were asleep. You faced the agony of death and evil alone. Do not leave or forsake us in our isolation. Draw near in the dark of night when no one else is around. Have mercy, O Lord, Amen.
Word
Luke 22:24
“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.”
Meditation: A Big Deal by Megan Roegner
I’ve recently become engrossed in the Christianity Today podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. Mars Hill began as a small Seattle church, growing over the course of about 20 years into a multi-site megachurch, with 15 locations and more than 12,000 people attending weekly. But in the fall of 2014, investigations into the church’s toxic culture, particularly accusations of abusive behavior by their founder, Mark Driscoll, led to its rapid decline. By January 1, 2015, the whole Mars Hill network had dissolved.
One of the podcast’s themes is how easy it can be for a church’s mission to become tainted with individuals’ desire for glory. Specifically, Mark Driscoll was one of the first pastors to harness the power of emerging online media to expand his reach. At its peak, Mars Hill sermons had more than 260,000 views online every week, elevating Driscoll to celebrity status. In the episode titled “The Brand,” a former member of the Mars Hill media team recalls how he was surprised to find people waiting to get Driscoll’s autograph after an overseas preaching engagement. He recalled that Driscoll told him, “I don’t know if you have noticed or not, but I am kind of a big deal.” The man said that at first he thought Driscoll was making a joke by referencing the movie Anchorman but soon realized that Driscoll was absolutely serious. The podcast explores whether, in believing that he was a “big deal,” Driscoll gave himself permission to seek acclaim, to act harshly, and to injure relationships all under the guise of serving Jesus.
Although the podcast focuses on the Mars Hill community, this is just one extreme example of the tension between living for Christ and yearning for personal pride that happens over and over within Christian relationships, starting with the very first Christians, the disciples. Reclining with Jesus at the Last Supper, they get into an argument about which of them is the greatest. Even when Jesus, their friend and Lord, is right there, serving them with humility, they lose sight of him and can only see themselves.
Although hubris can be damaging in many contexts, to me it seems most dangerous within the Church and among our Christian friends. Evil is bad enough, but evil disguised as good is particularly devastating. Take a moment and think about the people you know who have been hurt by an experience at church or by a Christian friend. How many people have had an experience that makes them feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in a community of believers instead feeling like they are an essential part of it?
When confronted with evil among our brothers and sisters in Christ, with the evil we might have done to them, it is easy to feel hopeless. Evil, even here? What else better demonstrates our never-ending need for forgiveness and grace from someone who is a much bigger deal than we are? And grace abounds—as we see when Jesus gently corrects his disciples with love, pulling them away from themselves and back to him, as the specter of the cross looms large.
Jesus, forgive us for the harm we do to our friends. Help us to forgive the harm done to us. Especially within your Church, heal broken relationships and help us resist the temptation of pride. Let us always keep you as our example of what a friend should be. Amen.
Sending
In the face of evil, may God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ fill you with every spiritual blessing. Go in his name, Amen.