DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
St. Matthew 27:1-61
(4/25)
From the Gospel at Vespers on Great and Holy Friday
The Voice of Love: St. Matthew 27:1-38; St. Luke 23:39-43; St.
Matthew 27:39-54; St. John 19:31-37; St. Matthew 27:55-61, especially vss.
59-61 of St. Matthew: “When Joseph had
taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new
tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the
door of the tomb, and departed. And
Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.” The Lover of Mankind cries
out to each one of His Beloved of every race and clan: “Set Me as a seal
upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for love is strong as death...Much
water will not be able to quench love, and rivers shall not drown it”
(SOS 8:6,7), even though “jealousy is cruel as the grave” (SOS
8:6).
In disregard of truth and in jealousy “all the chief priests and
elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death and...delivered
Him to Pontius Pilate the governor” (Mt. 27:1,2), for only Pilate had
legal power to issue an order for execution. Poor Judas, in remorse, saw that the
Lord Jesus was sure to be condemned, and to no avail “brought back the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders” (vs. 3). Of course, he was unable to stop the
shedding of innocent blood and so, in utter frustration, “threw down the
pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself”
(vs. 5). We fallen, mortal men
cannot call back the furies of hate once we unleash them. Thus, Barabbas was released and Jesus
turned over to the Roman execution squad, for mocking, crucifixion, and the
death of the Cross. And we, Beloved
of the Lord, like Simon of Cyrene, are compelled to bear His cross to
One of the others who was condemned, one who would die along with the
Lord, heard the voice of the Lover through the din of jealousy that day. It was he who begged Him,
“remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Lk. 23:42). If we are given the grace, then we too
may hear the Lover silently calling to us, and even we may take the
thief’s words upon our lips.
Behold, a torrent of jealousy, hate, and indifference cannot quench
love.
Love evoked the response of love from “many women who followed
Jesus from
Among those who heard the Lover’s voice was “a rich man from
Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus”
(vs. 57). St. John Chrysostom
points out that “he had become very bold after the death of Christ...For
he exposed himself to death, taking upon him enmity with all by his affection
for Jesus.” He “not
only dared to ask for the body,” he even laid “it in his own new
tomb” thereby showing “both his love and his courage.”
See what Love can evoke: a loss of fear in the face of death, courage,
and love! Truly, “love is
strong as death.” There is no
remorse here, no flinging of silver away from one’s soiled hands, vainly
to be rid of the stain of sin, “...for ...blood shall make atonement for
the soul” (Lev. 17:11). How
tenderly love answers Love: “When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped
it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of
the rock” (Mt. 27:59,60).
Notice what
How then shall I array Thee, my God? How shall I wrap Thee with linen? Or what dirges shall I chant for Thy
funeral? Wherefore, O compassionate
Lord, I magnify Thy Passion, and praise Thy Burial with Thy Resurrection,
crying, Lord, glory to Thee!