“The images in this picture bring together the Jesus of the North and of the South. The Masai Christ of Africa is enthroned in a setting of spheres and squares, with Greek symbols of time and eternity; and surrounded by the traditional emblems of the four evangelists. Black theologians would however also stress the image of Jesus as warrior, an icon of liberation through struggle, and the Black Christ as victor, who has overcome and will do so again.” – The Christ We Share

The Masai Creed

We believe in the one High God of love who created the beautiful world and everything good in it. He created man and wanted man to be happy in the world. God loves the world and every nation and tribe in the world. We have known this God in darkness, and we now know God in the light. God promised in his book the Bible that he would save the world and all the nations and tribes.

We believe that God made good on his promise by sending his son, Jesus Christ, a man by the flesh, a Jew by tribe, born poor in a little village, who left his home and was always on safari, doing good, curing people by the power of God, teaching about God and man, showing that the meaning of religion is love. He was rejected by his people, tortured and nailed hands and feet to a cross, and died. He lay buried in the grave, but the hyenas did not touch him, and on the third day he rose from the grave. He ascended to the skies. He is lord.

We believe that all our sins are forgiven through him. All who have faith in him must be sorry about their sins, be baptized in the Holy Spirit of God, live by the rules of love and share the bread together, to announce the good news to others until Jesus comes again. We are waiting for him. He is alive. He lives. This we believe. Amen
– Source

Ponder:
How does this image of Christ speak to you?
If you were to write your own creed, or draw your own image, what would it look like?

In Entering the Passion of Jesus, author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the biblical texts surrounding the Passion story. She shows us how the text raises ethical and spiritual questions for the reader, and how we all face risk in our Christian experience.

Ponder:
Picture yourself as a part of the crowd, what are you crying out?
Are you thinking of a political revolution, or of peace?
What do you need saving from today?
What does our community need to be saved from today?

“Christians will be found in the neighbourhood of Jesus – but Jesus is found in the neighbourhood of human confusion and suffering, defencelessly alongside those in need. If being baptized is being led to where Jesus is, then being baptized is being led towards the chaos and the neediness of a humanity that has forgotten its own destiny.”

Rowan Williams, Being Christian

Ponder:

Where do you find Jesus in your neighbourhood?

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.

Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)

Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.

You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Ponder:
What are you willing to place at the feet of Jesus this Lent?
What have you been saving for the right time, perhaps today is the day?