What is the difference between participation and commitment? By definition, participation is the action of taking part in something. Commitment is dedication to a task or purpose. I like bacon and eggs for breakfast. Which animal is truly committed to the cause? Is it the chicken or the pig? I believe life is full of people who participate but less people are truly committed to a cause. Unfortunately, I also believe that there are much more people that neither participate or a true committed person. I know Palm/Passion is behind us as we rejoice in knowing Christ is risen, but I wanted to reflect a little on the passion story.
Mark chapters 14 and 15 are full of those who participated in the story. The man carrying a water jar (14:13) was a man way ahead of his time as it was unheard of a man doing what was considered a woman’s job in those days. Where did he come from and what happened to him? How about the slave who had his ear cut off only to be restored to health (14:47). You think he may have had a change of heart who became a testifier of the truth from that point onward? Of course, who can forget about Barabbas (15:6) that was saved from death by being replaced with an innocent person. I imagine he too became a convert. Then there was Simon (15:21) who was forced to carry the cross. He probably believed his circumstance changed drastically by being at that place at that time. Finally, there was Joseph from Arimathea who dared to approach Pilate (15:43). (Get the book “Christ Commission” by Og Mandino to learn more about the author’s fictional story of Joseph. Maybe true?) I can go on about other characters but I ask you what did these characters have in common? They all were participants in the passion story. Who was the only person truly committed to the cause? During this new season of Easter, may we all remember to be participants in the story but let us give all credit for the one who paid the ultimate price for our everlasting freedom.
T