Friday-all ready. Where did the week go? Here it is, just moments from the celebration of His resurrection. Did it go this quickly for our Lord? Or was each moment filled with all the emotion that we go through?

I have received many teachings over the last few weeks regarding Jesus' death. Many describe the detail with which He came to the cross. Some make us cringe and pull back. Somehow, many of us can't see or feel the pain, and maybe that reduces our view of it.

"Jesus died for me" we say. And we can embrace that statement. But when we go beyond to enduring the cross, enduring the shame. When WAS the last time you had your beard ripped out or you were even spit on because of the Gospel? "Oh, I have been so persecuted. Nobody likes me because I am a Christian." Come on!!! Maybe people don't like you cause you call yourself a Christian, wear t-shirts proclaiming the Gospel AND then live like hell.

Those of us who would say we are persecuted, can not attest for the most part to persecution of the same caliber of Jesus. We haven't been forced to hide in upper rooms because of the Gospel. Nor have we been or even probably know anyone who has been sawed in half, beheaded or hung upside down on a cross(how about fed to lions?).

My week has been difficult, but persecution of this type has not existed in my life. I think one of the reasons we in America have previously been wishy-washy about our faith is because there is no "danger". We have been hypnotized into a surreal picture of the world. Half our country can't find Africa on a map, let alone the many countries of Eastern Europe. We have sought the next spiritual "high" and missed the needs of the lost. Our Christianity resembles a lot of the world.

The church so often tries to mimic Hollywood and the world. We watch "R" movies (cause we are "adults"!), and spend time with things we know do not please Him. We say we are "sorry" when we are caught, "repent" when necessary on Sunday, and go back there too often on Monday.

Isn't that the greatest pain to Jesus? To be spit on by His children?

I haven't been persecuted to the extent of Jesus. (Maybe I would be more operative without the head!) But somewhere in there is a heart that bleeds. I still bleed when someone hurts me. Too often, we the church "persecute" without being the minister of reconciliation we are to be.

Jesus had pain, therefore I will as well. If I try to avoid it, I will avoid those who need Him the most. I will build walls to protect me and manage to keep those out, but I will be caught within.

Jesus came, he suffered that I might be FREE!