Mark 15:1-15

We are presented here in Mark with the power of the mob, the people stirred up by those in positions of power among the Jewish people, the chief priests. And we have Pilate, in a position of judgment over Jesus, speaking to the people, saying “But what crime has he committed?” He sought their permission, unable to act on what he knew was just.

Notwithstanding our acceptance that what happened—Jesus’ death—was essential to giving us a way to live, I can’t help but feel despair over Pilate’s inability to act on his own judgment of Jesus, to act on the courage of his convictions.

Pilate was a leader. He made clear his judgment but did not act on it. The chief priests and people, it seems to me, go down in infamy for the horror of their vile use of power. But Pilate is a special case for us to remember. In a most crucial moment in history, he knew and did not act.

                                                                                          —Norma Killilea

Psalm 119:1-8

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

—Kari Miller Fenwood

Psalm 25:1-10

This Psalm has often been pointed to as an instruction manual on how to pray:

• praise: “to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul” (1)
• call for God’s action: “do not let those who wait for you be put to shame” (3)
• motive for our action: “lead me in your truth” (5)
• forgiveness: “do not remember the sins of my youth” (7)
• resolution and trust: “All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” (10)

But it is the tone of this Psalm that throws me a bit. David seems to be ordering God to teach him, lead him, and forgive him (3-5) — not asking for God’s love and strength. In verse 6 it is as if God needs a reminder to be merciful. Really?

I cannot help but feel that while David is calling out to God for direction and acknowledging his trust in God, he is doing so with the tone of a parent reminding a child of their daily chores.

Is there a difference between asking for forgiveness and telling God to forgive? Between requesting direction and ordering the understanding of God’s ways?

I believe tone matters because it puts the power back on God — but that it matters for us too. Could David’s prayer have as much to do with ordering ourselves as it did with requesting the assistance of the Lord? When he says, “Be mindful of your mercy” is he asking this of God or himself? If we are the hands and feet of Christ in this world, then should prayer be about directing ourselves to action as well as asking for God’s love in the process? It just comes down to: whom are we directing?

—Becky Schmidt