Reflection for Good Friday
A Pastoral Reflection: The Majesty of Silent Submission
The scene described in John 19:16-18 is stark, brief, and haunting. There are no grand speeches or dramatic rescues. Instead, we see a heavy cross, a long walk, and a place called the Skull.
"So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them". — John 19:16-18
In these few verses, we witness the ultimate act of submission. It is a theme that often sits uncomfortably in our modern world—a world that prizes autonomy, "standing your ground", and self-assertion. Yet, the submission of Jesus reveals a different kind of strength entirely.
Submission is Not Weakness
We often mistake submission for passivity or a lack of options. But as we look at Jesus "bearing his own cross", we see a King who is fully in control of His surrender. Throughout His trial, Jesus reminded Pilate that no earthly power had authority over Him unless it was given from above.
His submission was an active choice. He wasn't a victim of circumstances; He was a participant in a divine plan. True Christian submission is the strength to lay down our rights for the sake of a higher calling. It is the quiet confidence that God’s purposes are worth more than our personal comfort.
The Weight of the Cross
John highlights that Jesus went out "bearing his own cross". There is a profound physical and spiritual weight in that image. Submission often feels like a weight. It might be the weight of:
- Choosing kind words when we’ve been insulted.
- Staying faithful to a difficult commitment.
- Trusting God’s timing when our own clocks are screaming "now".
Jesus carried His cross to the Place of the Skull so that we wouldn't have to carry the weight of our own sin. His submission was the bridge between our brokenness and God's holiness. When we practice submission in our own lives, we aren't just "giving in"—we are following the literal footsteps of our Savior.
The Centre of the Story
John notes that Jesus was crucified "between two others". Even in the height of His submission, Jesus remained the centre.
This reminds us that when we submit our lives, our wills, and our futures to God, we aren't disappearing into the background. Rather, we are placing God exactly where He belongs: at the centre of our story. Submission is the act of stepping off the throne of our own lives so that the "True King" can take His place.
For Reflection this Week:
- In what area of your life are you currently "wrestling for the lead" instead of submitting to God’s direction?
- How does the image of Jesus carrying His cross change your perspective on the "weights" you are currently carrying?
May we find that in submitting to Him, we do not lose ourselves—we find our true purpose.
Reflection for Maundy Thursday
