FOR THE JOY…
What if you knew you had one week to live “for the joy?” Would you be doing what you’re doing right now?
My sister Donna lived five months after a cancer diagnosis and gave away Boyd’s Bears that told a story of her relationship with each of her favorite people. We had sleepovers, watched “Remember the Titans” and danced the Conga Line. People descended upon her with gifts of storytelling, food (sometimes what she sarcastically referred to as Hoity-Toity Pizza) and our Pizzimenti brand of humor. (and oh, what a brand it is!) There was so much joy in the midst of pain.
Both our dads left the way they lived, surrounded by faith, family, and multiplied shenanigans. The dads couldn’t get rid of us. There were jokes I can’t tell, from movies I won’t reveal but will save for another blog! The blessing of family was not without the reality of saying goodbye for now. It was a “for the joy” in technicolor time. (see Scott’s dad’s palm cross from his final week.)
Jesus, “for the joy week” before his death, was a condensed version of the way he lived his life. He went from parades to temple cleansing, and dinner parties with his BFF’s, Martha, Mary, and Laz. Used humor to confront lies (remember when he scoffed at Judas pretending he was kind to the poor?) Jesus messed around with his friend’s pragmatism and sent them out to ask for colts and upper rooms from people they never met. He offered some of his best speeches in the Temple and on the Mount of Olives, telling the future and plans for redemption. He tenderly cares for the feet of his tired teammates and challenges their pride. At the final dinner party, raises a glass to his love, tells Peter there’s a rooster in his future and invites his friends to pray with passion in the Garden.
FOR THE JOY, Jesus doesn’t hide in a cave, pull the covers up and drink himself to sleep. Doesn’t moan, rant, blame, shame or run from love. Jesus gives us an unforgettable week of how to live “for the joy.” How to stay fully present, loving, forgiving and future-focused.
On this good Friday, though the horror of human depravity was on display, so was “For the Joy!” Jesus died the way he lived, all in, all loving and fixed on the good in the midst of evil.
May it be true of us.
