Friday, March 29, 2002
Friday, March 29, 2002
And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema
sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
"Why is this happening to me?" Harold pondered over and over again. He wondered if his
illness was God's way of telling him he should not be in the play. Then he thought of previous
performances and his many hours where he lived as Christ. "I had poured my whole being into
the part," Harold explains. "I had tried to think and act like He would." Then he asked himself
what would Jesus do in his situation?
After much thought Harold decided to perform that night against his doctor's orders but agreed
that after the play was over he would go to the southwest to recover. At that night's
performance Harold had difficulty getting through his scenes. Between scenes he would lie
down to rest. A stage hand asked him if he could continue. Harold wondered that same thing.
His lines took on new meaning as he was near collapse when he said, "My God, my God, why
hast thou forsaken me?" "I had to forget myself, my pain, my fears, everything but being
Jesus," he recalled. Once he was able to do this he received strength far beyond his own
strength. The pain he was experiencing left his chest. His voice became stronger. "Strength
poured into my arms and legs," he said.
"God had poured His strength into me," Harold explains. "For those sublime moments His
divine Spirit had been in me."
(Matthew 27.46
NRSV)
Harold Walters was to play the part of Christ in the Bloomington, Illinois production of the
Passion Play. Persons from hundreds of miles away travel to Bloomington to see the Passion
Play each year. Harold Walters went to the doctor. Harold is suffering from tuberculosis. After
the examination his doctor warned him, "If you go through with it, it may cost you your life."
Harold sat there too stunned to say anything. The doctor continued, "You should go to bed at
once to prevent any more hemorrhages." The doctor told him he should take his illness
seriously and go to a warm climate. "Can't take chances with tuberculosis," the doctor said as
Harold left his office. Harold thought long and hard over the doctor's words. He realized that if
he was unable to perform his role, the Passion Play would have to be canceled and people
would be disappointed.
Lord Jesus, your strength is awesome. Thank you for bearing my sins in your cross. Amen.
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