Daily Devotion for April 12, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 43

 

Calling on Elijah

 

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."  One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.  : Mark 15: 35-36

 

As darkness fell, and at such an hour, the people must have wondered what on earth was going on. Actually, they should have wondered what in heaven was going on. Some drew nearer to the Cross, though they may not have been aware of the connection between the sky and the Savior. They heard His cry and, since they were more concerned with the gathering gloom than with the half-dead criminals, they missed what He said. Someone heard the word ‘Eloi’ and misinterpreted it to mean that Jesus was calling upon Elijah. They grasped the half-truth as a possible explanation of the weather conditions and eagerly began to scan the skies, waiting and watching for the appearance of the prophet. The more astute among them would have known that the appearance of the Messiah was linked to the return of Elijah (Malachi 4:5) so they took a renewed interest in Jesus.

 

Abruptly, startlingly, the abuse ended. Perhaps, after all, this man really was the Messiah. No one could remember the sky turning such an awful shade before, and they were sure that He had called upon Elijah. Perhaps at any moment the clouds would part and the prophet would return to claim God’s chosen One. Amazingly, stupidly, their next action was unbelievably self-centered. If Jesus was the Messiah they should have rushed to His aid, but they did not. Instead they took a reed, soaked a sponge in sour wine and lifted it to His lips. This was not compassion; it was the desire to prolong the spectacle, to keep Jesus alive long enough so that Elijah would come. Meanwhile, sorrow and love flowed from His open wounds, and the end drew nigh.

 

Prayer
Whenever I take my eyes off You Lord, I can’t hear Your voice as clearly as I should and I miss the truth You speak.  Help me to stay focused, ON YOU, and to hear and heed Your voice.  Amen

 

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