Coronations and Executions

Some time in the past year I slid a book off my shelf that has been with me since my late teens, one that I've read numerous times, each time revealing fresh insights into God, Jesus, and humanity. In the mid-70's Calvin Miller wrote three narratives he entitled, The Singer Trilogy - The Singer, The Song, and The Finale. Luci Shaw, editor and writer, describes Calvin's book, The Singer, as "a powerful extended metaphor of incarnation and redemption."

I found it fitting to read again this week between the days we recognize in history the shouts of "Hosanna" as Jesus road into Jerusalem on a donkey and the day the crowds cried "Crucify him!" and sent him to a cross.

Jesus is the Singer who sings his Star song - the Song of Love - but is in constant battle with World Hater who only wants to destroy the Song of Love.

On this Good Friday, Miller's thoughts that preface the chapter of Jesus' trial caught me like never before: "Humanity is fickle. They may dress for a morning coronation and never feel the need to change clothes to attend an execution in the afternoon. So Triumphal Sundays and Good Fridays always fit comfortably into the same April week."

Humanity is fickle, nonetheless the Singer, Calvin writes in his poetic way, "felt the agony of dying, the multiplied pain of a hundred thousand men all dying at one time."

Humanity is still fickle . . . but the Singer still sings the Song of Love.