God Shaped Hole in all of us

Raul Garcia III

Palm Sunday

April 9, 2017

Matthew 27: 11 - 54

Let us Pray:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you my Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.

What a Gospel story we have. Simply amazing. All the emotions a human can possibly fathom in one place. When we really think about it we sing Hosanna, wave palms branches, then if we step back and read what happens over the next few days we find betrayal, denial, abandonment, and crucifixion.

All of us are one of the people with Jesus that last week of his life. As much as we say we love Jesus and have a strong faith we falter. The people of Jerusalem had expectations of a leader to come and deliver them from the Roman oppression. Someone to march in with a mighty army and on a strong steed to take control. The expectations of the jewish people were just expectations and Jesus knew what He needed to do.

Talking about expectations. I have a honey do list. Boy, were my expectations for my honey do list were not met on Friday. I needed to fix my grill because the insides rusted out and needed to be replaced, my wife’s car needed a tune up and I needed to order plants for the plant sale. Woke up and went to Lowes and my ADD kicked in, I looked at those shiny things and walked around and just looked at stuff before looking at what I needed. Went to the grill area and found out they carry my grill but not the parts. So that is one thing I couldn’t get done. Went to AutoZone to get spark plugs, spark plug wires and ignition mount to tune up my wife’s van. That didn’t happen either. I went to eat lunch and had a wonderful lunch and had an unexpected conversation with a young mom and her daughter and talked about church, family and stuff. Great conversation. I did order flowers.

Sometimes we have expectations of things to get done or our to do list, just like the jewish expectations of a new leader, and God’s expectations are somewhere else. We all have our expectations but God fills and shapes those expectations to each of our hearts.   

This week is the holiest of weeks, we call it the Passion of Jesus Christ! God’s passionate love for me—for you!

If people only had the slightest idea what happened some two thousand years ago during this week the churches would be packed today, on Maundy Thursday, overflowing on Good Friday, and standing room only at Easter.

However, we all know good and well that may not be the case. Why? Is it because we just don’t know the story? Do we have a missing piece or hole in our heart?

Jesus has just spent the better part of 3 years teaching through words and action what the Kingdom of God should look like. Where the sick are healed, bones are mended, demons are driven out, hungry crowds are fed, forgiveness is offered to the unforgivable, love is shown to the unlovable and the dead are raised. And now today this king on a donkey rides into Jerusalem knowingly riding to his death.

This coming Thursday, Maundy Thursday, we celebrate this Lamb of God giving us a new commandment. To love God and love one another, sharing with us his body, his blood, washing his disciple’s feet, so you and I may be willing and able to continue the work of Jesus in the world, sharing what the Kingdom of God should look like, now through our words and action.

Yet on this very same night, Jesus is betrayed by his own disciple for 30 pieces of silver. Denied by his closest friend. Abandoned by every one of his followers. He is dragged away as a criminal for committing no crime. This silent innocent king stands in front of earthly powers where he is beaten, spat upon, and found guilty.

Then on Good Friday the Son of God will have a crown of thorns placed on his head, nails driven into his hands and feet and crucified. Executed for me and for you!

You see, if we truly owned this passionate story in our hearts and minds it would not only have to make a huge difference in our lives, but in the world.

We each have a God shaped hole in our heart. For everyone the Passion Story is interpreted differently, but God shapes this story to fill our heart. My wife, Rhea and I are going to share a song with you called God Shaped Hole by a band called Plumb:

Song Lyrics:

Every point of view has another angle
And every angle has its merit
But all comes down to faith
That's the way I see it

You can say that love is not divine
And you can say that life is not eternal
"All we have is now."
But I don't believe it

There's a god-shaped hole in all of us
And the restless soul is searching
There's a god-shaped hole in all of us
And it's a void only he can fill

Does the world seem gray with empty longing
Wearing every shade of cynical
And do you ever feel that
There is something missing?

There's a god-shaped hole in all of us
And the restless soul is searching
There's a god-shaped hole in all of us
And it's a void only he can fill

That's my point of view...

There's a god-shaped hole in all of us
And the restless soul is searching
There's a god-shaped hole in all of us
And it's a void... 

There's a god-shaped hole in all of us
And the restless soul is searching
There's a god-shaped hole in all of us
And it's a void only he can fill
Only he can fill

That's my point of view,
That's my point of view, yeah
That's my point of view, mmm, yeah
That's my point of view, yeah
That's' my point of view, oh, right
That's my point of view, yeah
That's my point of view, mmm, yeah
That's my point.

Here’s the amazing part of the song and this story. Even through our betrayal, fear, denial, abandonment. Even through the spitting on his name, nailing the one who saves us on a cross. This conquering Christ, Jesus riding on a donkey is still willing to suffer and climb up that tree and die for you, so that you may experience the abundance of life here and now and eternal life in the world yet to come.

Now that’s what I call the Gospel!

It is Good news that the world cannot offer in any shape or form. Not through our wealth, or career, not even through family or friends. It is only offered through the suffering, love and Passion of Jesus Christ.

This week not only make it a priority to attend all the Holy Week services. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, think long and carefully how you can fill your God Shaped Hole.

Amen.