Images and Imaginings

Exploring the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus

These 'voices' from within the Passion and Easter story, along with the images and reflection starters have been prepared for the 'Who do you say I am' presentation at Shirley Baptist Church in 2024  and are shared for a wider audience here.

Introduction and Invitation
Well, here’s the thing: there are so many voices around telling me who Jesus is. People in church today and through history - people of faith who I trust, others who I find rather challenging - voices in society around for whom Jesus is too distant or shrouded in academic debate for him to be significantly relevant - I could go on! The New Testament in the Bible offers both rich theological exploration and conclusions along with some deep personal testimony that are the most touching. That is all well and good, but who is Jesus to me? This is the most vital question.
You are invited to hear some witnesses to Jesus, to reflect and prayerfully listen out for your own voice within.
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Jerusalem crowd  (Matthew 21.6-11)
I had heard about you Jesus. Some had heard you teach, others spoke of healings and miracles. The words of the prophets have been sharp and hopeful for us looking forward to freedom from oppression, but they had seemed too distant and remote. Then the rumours began - that you were coming to the city! And at such a time when we are celebrating Passover - God’s salvation. The crowds are shouting ‘Hosanna!’ - Save us! And that is our hope. I cannot see how it will happen, but I am enthusiastic to lay my coat in the road - my act of commitment.
There are many voices crying out for salvation in our world today. What kind of Saviour are they seeking?  How hopeful are you?

Simon Peter - Footwashing   (John 13.1-12)
My first reaction is that I am not worthy for you, Jesus, to be washing my feet as that is a servant’s task. My sense of unworthiness persuades me that, yes, I do need you to wash me - but all of me! I recall being told how you were baptised by John and I realise that you understand my need.
Be ready to open every aspect of your life to the Jesus you discover today.
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Disciples  -  Last Supper   (Matthew 26.20-23)
Jesus, you saying across the table that one of us would betray you has caused each of us to question our loyalty to you. None of us was at all certain of our trust. I cannot deny that this hurt a bit, yet I was more encouraged by the fact that, in sharing the broken bread and poured wine, you offered your whole self to us, regardless of our failings.
Which has the greater influence in your life  -  your betrayals, or Jesus’ total offering of himself?

Judas   (Matthew 26.14-16)
Yes, I was the one. And you knew full well, even before I had done the deed. I realised afterwards that, while I had sold you down the river for thirty pieces of silver, a real relationship with you would be beyond price. I couldn’t live in the shadow of what I had done. I wonder if I ever could have lived a life worthy of you?
Jesus knows us, but does not judge - allowing each to shape our own destiny. Is Jesus in your life-plan?

Disciples  -  Gethsemane  (Matthew 26.36-45)
We followed you to the city with such confidence, but at supper we became doubtful of ourselves. Everything seemed about to kick-off and things were unsettled. However, even as I tried to hide my fear in sleep, I heard your words of trust in your heavenly Father.
I had my sword ready to defend you when the authorities came, but you healed the man I attacked and we, your friends, all ran away.
Are there times when you are fearful of what following Jesus requires? 
Are there times when you feel the need to defend Jesus ?

Peter   (Matthew 26.31-35)
Well, I could have died from shame. There’s me, the one you called ‘The Rock’, who had declared you to be the Messiah, who had pledged to follow you faithfully regardless and even die for you if need be. I had followed you after the arrest, but then what did I go and do? I insisted that I did not know you! Just to save my own skin.
The moment the cock crowed - that was it for me ‘cos that is precisely what you said would happen. I know it was self-preservation on my part, but when I caught you looking at me across the courtyard I had a strong sense that you knew me better than I know myself and understood my human weakness.
Reflect on being known and accepted by Jesus.

Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin  (Matthew 26.59-65)
You are clearly an imposter, Jesus of Nazareth, because you are critical of so much of the religious establishment and customs that we uphold. You need to accept the authority we hold.
Reflect on the relationship between Church tradition and customs and the personal authority of Jesus in your life.

Pilate   (Matthew 27.11-26)
I will admit that my view of you, Jesus of Nazareth, is more down to my own situation. I am supposed to be a man of power, authority and influence, yet the Jewish leaders have me over a barrel and my own wife has had some troubling dream and wants me to have nothing to do with you. I suspect she feels dealing with you will damage my career prospects.
You are an irritating man (who will not admit to guilt and make my life easier) and I’m afraid you are an innocent pawn in this whole scenario  - a dispensable life.
To what extent does following Jesus impact your career and way of life?
Is Jesus dispensable to you?

The Soldiers   (John 19.1-2)
This man, Jesus, is another troublemaker, deserving only of disdain and contempt. He is a person of no real consequence to us.
How do you feel about those in our own time who hold this view of Jesus?

​Simon of Cyrene   (Matthew 27.31-33)
I have travelled a long way to be here to celebrate Passover and offer my sacrifice in the Temple and I find myself forced to carry the cross of this man, Jesus. As I struggle under the weight of the wood it begins to feel like my own past, yet it is this Jesus who will be nailed to it. I sense that God’s forgiveness is here.
Do you continue to carry your sinfulness as a burden, or can you see that it is with Jesus nailed to the cross?

Centurion   (Matthew 27.46,  Luke 23.46, 54)
In terms of the gruesome mechanics yours is a normal execution and I leave my men to handle all that. However, you carry a particular reputation and the Governor is insisting that an inscription be nailed to your cross ‘The King of the Jews’. I really have no view on what this means, but I am struck by your words with God. Is he really so near that in your utter despair you challenge his desertion of you. Then, when the end comes, you commit your spirit to him. I see in you a despairing human, but also a trusting son and can only conclude that you are a Son of God.
A God who is with you in the depths and inspires your commitment when the end is in sight - is this who you know through Jesus?

Mary and John   (John 19..25-27)
We are here because we love you, Jesus, son and friend. This is why, even though we recognise that you saw this death as your destiny, it so tragic. But we also feel that in all this your love is demonstrated in a way much more than we could ever show. You have given us each other, but you have also given totally of yourself.

Mary Magdalene   (John 20.11-16)
I cannot see in the darkness, but the voice speaks my name and I know it is you, Jesus, alive! It is you who knows me best.
How personal do you feel your relationship with Jesus to be?

Disciples on the Emmaus Road   (Luke 24. 13-35)
We break bread every sabbath, but somehow at the supper table we shared with you on our journey we were taken back to that Passover meal when Jesus offered his life to each of us. That was the moment of recognition for us, as nail-scarred hands broke bread and offered it to us.
Where do you recognise Jesus in events and actions around you today?

Thomas   (John 20.24-29)
​I wouldn’t say that I doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead, but I am careful and like to get factual evidence sorted out where I can. And there Jesus was, showing me his nail scars and wounds.
What evidence do you seek that enables you to believe Jesus is risen and for you to say “My Lord and my God”.

The Harrowing of Hell
In our current situation, do we believe that Jesus has been to the deepest depths of our human experience and can therefore bring us into the light?

Eager to see
Peter and John ran to the Jesus' tomb, eager to see if what Mary had told them was true - that the tomb was empty. In our own time, are we as eager to see where the risen Jesus is? Where might this be?