6 || Numbers of Lent || Week 4

We covered the number 40, which represented journeys different generations went through. We covered the number 3, which represented completeness and intensity in Jesus’ time on the cross. We covered the number 2, which represented union and vision, and we focused on our decision-making endeavors. This week, we cover the number 6. 

The number 6 represents human weakness. Instead of showing you examples of how six shows itself in the Bible, and there are instances of it, I want to focus on our opening hymn this week. “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” is based on a passage that takes place slightly earlier than our sermon text today. In Mark 15:16-20, we learn about the mockery, the bullying, and the torture that Jesus had to go through. Pilate had just released Barabbas and sent Jesus away to get crucified. In that story, relating to the hymn, The crowd mocked him in 6 different ways:

• They dressed him in a purple robe (purple was the color traditionally worn by royalty)
• They twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on him (it represented the mockery of an actual crown.
• They saluted him (to mock his “coronation”)
• They struck his head with a stick (to imitate his scepter)
• They spit on him,
• They knelt before him to honor him.

The soldiers were making fun of Jesus because Jesus was known as the “King of the Jews,” but they didn’t believe it. Because of that, they decided to bully Jesus for being who he was. How many of you have gone through that? I know not to the extent of how Jesus did, but how many of you have been bullied just for being who you are? It’s a tricky question.

We often feel that we are the only ones who go through the journey we’re going through, whether it is anxiety, stress, depression, and bullying. We often feel alone in that journey because no one understands what we’re dealing with, and you’re right. You are the one that experiences your journey. I can’t experience that. I can try to understand that by what you’re willing to share, but I can’t experience what you experience. I can share what I went through on my journey with you and offer ideas of things you can do to manage and overcome what you’re dealing with currently. I can do that, but I had to overcome weaknesses to understand that. Jesus went through weaknesses too. 

Jesus went through this as a human, even though He was entirely God. We can’t experience what he experienced, which I don’t think any of us want to. We can try to understand what he experienced, and we’ve discussed different parts of this journey through the first four Sundays of Lent. Jesus has gone through the same things you may have gone through, and you may not know it. Anxiety? Jesus was anxious while in the garden, praying to God not to go through this journey. Bullying? Look at this story and our opening hymn. Jesus went through all these things. If you’re going through things like this, I encourage you to talk to God. I encourage you to open up to God about all that stuff you’re dealing with because on the other side of the conversation is one who sympathizes, understands, and strengthens. He will guide you through this. We all go through weaknesses of some kind, even Jesus, but with Jesus, we gain strength. 

Jesus puts people in our paths that have gone through the same things we are dealing with right now. We may feel scared to reach out to the people in our lives because we fear being judged, made fun of, or understood. Can I also encourage you that as you pray to Jesus, you will ask him for the courage to reach out to those people in your life that you can open up to comfortably? It could be your parents, extended family, friends, Pastor Cathi, myself, other trusting people in your life. I pray that you will feel God’s guidance in whomever he leads you towards and that whomever he leads you toward will love you, understand you, be there with you, and walk with you. 

I want to close with this verse from the Book of Philippians written by Paul, who dealt with many weaknesses too: “I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.” May God strengthen you when you feel weak. I’ll see you next week.