The Way of the Cross Leads to Validation of Life!
Have you ever stood in the muddy waters of the Jordan River in the Holy Land? Well, I have. Mark’s Gospel describes the scene of Jesus standing there as the hands of his cousin, John the Baptist, who pushed him under the waters and raised him to the air again. But in that moment, the New Testament writer says that the heavens were “torn open” and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus and a voice proclaimed for all eternity, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” Here was Jesus’ moment of validation of who he was and the way his and ministry.
After 44 years of ministry I have been privileged to share many moments of validation in the lives of many individuals. Validation is sort like saying, “well done, you are my boy, you are my daughter.” We all need validation; Jesus certainly did and that is why he went to John. But validation of life can come in many ways. While working on my PhD thesis I was privileged to share in the lives of persons living and dying with HIV-AIDS. I recorded their testimony of lives of tremendous physical pain, struggle and death; and I learned the resiliency of their spiritual and faith journey as well.
One experience I shall never forget. A young man named David (which means “beloved one” in Hebrew) was a young person in my youth group in Annapolis. He had been in 21 foster care homes during his life and then he went off to find his way in life. He lived in Colorado and became infected with the virus that causes AIDS. Yet for nearly 20 years he kept in touch with me by phone and letter. I received a call one day from a nurse at the local hospital telling me that David was in a semi-coma condition and was not expected to live. David had given her many weeks before my phone number. She asked me to speak to David. How could I - he was in a coma? But she put the phone next to his ear in the bed and I told David over the phone that I loved him and God loved him no matter what and that he was not just a foster child but a “child of God”. In a few moments, the nurse came back on the line and said that when I began to talk into David’s ear by phone, his eyes opened – he recognized my voice. David needed to know that he was valued by God – that he was loved by God and that nothing could separate him from the love of God. A few hours later, the nurse called to let me know that David had died peaceably. His journey was over – he just needed to know how valuable he was in the eyes of God. Isn’t that what God was saying to Jesus at the Jordan? Isn’t that what God was saying to you and I at the cross – we have been validated by God’s love – and nothing can ever separate us from that love.
Prayer: God, we take comfort in knowing that you love us no matter what. We are thankful for the ways you let us know that we are your children and that you are well pleased with us. Amen.
Prayer Concern: those with HIV and other chronic illness.
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