Dear Southern Ohio Synod,

We began our Lenten journey to the Cross on Ash Wednesday. This year, that holy day coincided with Valentine’s Day, an appropriate reminder that God would demonstrate love for the world through sending Jesus to earth to teach, heal, and call others to follow. Eventually Jesus would suffer, die, rise, and ascend back to heaven, entrusting believers with the Holy Spirit to continue this work and ministry. But that gets us to the end of the story too quickly.

This week is Holy Week, where we intentionally and purposefully set our eyes toward the cross as Jesus enters Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” This week starts with celebration and joy; our Messiah is here with us and we cannot wait to tell others this good news.

As we move through this week, the tone shifts away from this celebration and joy. Those of us who have celebrated this week before know the heartbreak, tension, and betrayal that await us when many of us gather again for worship on Maundy Thursday. On this night, we remember Jesus celebrating a final meal with his closest followers and friends. During this meal, Jesus reminds them to continue loving one another and shows them a model for demonstrating that love through serving by washing their feet. This story is harder to tell; it is more vulnerable. It might even make us question how we serve others today, especially those who don’t know the whole story of God’s love, forgiveness, and grace. We remember the first responders and how communities have joined together in caring for one another after natural disasters, especially around Indian Lake and Delaware. And then, we remember other times where our words and actions have not told that story; we are convicted and chastened.

After this meal, Jesus and a few of the disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane to spend the entire night in prayer. Many times, the disciples are discovered to be asleep. How often do we metaphorically sleep when it is time to pray or share the good news of Jesus?

On Good Friday, we will remember the other events that transpired in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ trial, the crowds mocking him, and Jesus’ suffering, death, and burial in a tomb. We remember the disciples scattering in their fear as they watched their friend, Rabbi, and Messiah endure these things. The first Good Friday was not good; it was bewildering and shook Jesus’ followers beliefs to their core. We know this is not the end of the story; we know the truth that allows us to call this day Good Friday. On this day, we remember that Jesus, the Son of God, died on a cross for the sake of you, me, and all of creation so that sin, death, and hell no longer have the final say. This is the good news we are called to share. There is more to this story, but we need to eagerly wait for Easter Sunday for the rest of it.

Our Synod Staff is holding you, your Rostered Ministers, your worship leaders, and your congregations and ministries in prayer as you lead your communities through the holy events of this Holy Week.

In Christ,
+ Bishop Dillahunt