{"id":1937,"date":"2007-03-05T02:20:53","date_gmt":"2007-03-05T02:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/jesuscreed\/2007\/03\/lent-on-the-way-to-the-cross.html"},"modified":"2007-03-05T02:20:53","modified_gmt":"2007-03-05T02:20:53","slug":"lent-on-the-way-to-the-cross","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/jesuscreed\/2007\/03\/lent-on-the-way-to-the-cross.html","title":{"rendered":"Lent: On the Way to the Cross"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our series intertwines the life of Mary and Peter as two prime examples of how the earliest followers of Jesus struggled to make sense of the scandalous nature of a mission that involved crucifixion. Last Monday we looked at the theme of expectation. Today I’d like to consider how both Mary and Peter participated expectantly in the vision of Jesus<\/em>.
\nAs readers of The Real Mary<\/em> know, I’m big on looking at Mary through the clearest lens Scripture gives us — through the lens of the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55; see at bottom of this post). Two general observations give us our own lenses: Mary expected God to do for Israel precisely what her marvelous Song says God would do. Namely, bring justice to the those who fear God and judgment on those who oppress. And this justice fulfills the Abrahamic promise, and I understand this to be something like God being God for Israel as Israel is God’s people. The second observation is this: Mary expected to participate<\/em> in this kingdom-about-to-come and the arrival of promised justice. Before I get to what Mary was about to learn, I want to sketch Peter’s own expected participation.
\nPeter was called by Jesus to be an apostle and was given a new name and all of this became deeply personal for Peter on the shore of Galilee’s sea after Peter caught all those fish on the other side of the boat. Peter confesses his sinfulness and begins to follow Jesus in his kingdom mission. Peter begins to participate in Jesus’ vision with great expectation. Not only that, but in Matthew 10, Peter (with 11 others) is sent out to “catch” others for the kingdom of God. They are the special apostles, the special servants of Jesus. They are his authorized ambassadors. But there’s more to this story of participating expectantly in Jesus’ vision.
\nAnyone who walks with Mary and Peter who also knows the story of the Gospels knows that both have lots to learn. Both will learn that their expectations, intensified as they were by intimate attachment to Jesus and close participation in his kingdom work, will soon need radical adjustment.
\nPerhaps we can learn that it is in belonging to the circle of Jesus’ followers that we come to see a Lord who will guide us into a way of life that is nothing less than cruciform. Many of us are weekly reminded that for all the expectations we have of what God will do and for all the joy we find in participating in God’s redemptive work, the Supper of our Lord reminds us that both expectations and participation need to be seen through the lens of bread and wine.
\nHere’s Mary’s Song… it records Mary’s expectations and her anticipation of participation in God’s redemptive work.
\nAnd Mary said,
\n\u201cMy soul magnifies the Lord,
\nand my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
\nfor he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
\nSurely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
\nfor the Mighty One has done great things for me,
\nand holy is his name.
\nHis mercy is for those who fear him
\nfrom generation to generation.
\nHe has shown strength with his arm;
\nhe has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
\nHe has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
\nand lifted up the lowly;
\nhe has filled the hungry with good things,
\nand sent the rich away empty.
\nHe has helped his servant Israel,
\nin remembrance of his mercy,
\naccording to the promise he made to our ancestors,
\nto Abraham and to his descendants forever.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our series intertwines the life of Mary and Peter as two prime examples of how the earliest followers of Jesus struggled to make sense of the scandalous nature of a mission that involved crucifixion. Last Monday we looked at the theme of expectation. 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