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Rev. James Woodall Profile picture
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2 Apr, 8 tweets, 3 min read
Though Jesus bar Abbas was also on trial, Jesus Christ was the one offered for state execution. After being handed over by Pilate, the soldiers would strip him of his clothes, mock, beat, spat and ultimately kill him publicly on Golgatha’s Hill.
(Note: The Gospel of Matthew’s [NSRV] distinction between Jesus bar Abbas (son of the Father) and Jesus Christ (The Anointed) is easy to miss. The title Jesus [Yeshua] was OFTEN given to distinguish revolutionaries, or ‘Saviours,’ during various periods of biblical history.)
For three hours, the world went into complete darkness as he hung on a cross at Calvary in complete agony. He again would “calls on Elijah,” questioning where in the hell God was. Then would take his last breath and die.
The painful reminder of this not-so-#GoodFriday is that the high priests and the Pharisees conspired to kill him because he brought good news to the poor, proclaimed release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and to let the oppressed go free.
His death wasn’t about rectifying religion or even His treasonous guilt came from an unbridled commitment to free God’s people in every way necessary from the evil ways of the world. He wanted them to see themselves as he saw them and how we were created to be: whole and human.
Christ wasn’t an ‘innocent man between two thieves,’ but a revolutionary turned martyr. There truly is ‘power in the name of Jesus,’ for we, too, shall bear the Cross. Our faith must move us unto death for it is only then will we truly know God.
The crisis for us is that though it’s not necessary to die, the Cross will ultimately lead us there regardless. So as we mourn the death of Christ on the Cross of Calvary, may we also mourn every other Jesus out there who dies with him.
Sit with this darkness and feel the agonizing weight of Calvary. The grieving comfort, though, in #GoodFriday and #HolyWeek is in knowing that if we perish, we perish, but we will do so in the spirit of the almighty God.

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More from @iMajorWish

Rev. James Woodall Profile picture
2 Apr
As someone who not only read every page of the bill and attended every hearing, as well as mentions very specific provisions that restricts access every time I talk about the legislation - this is deeply troubling. #GaPol
Senate Bill 202 was originally a 2 page bill.

Republicans turned it into a 94-page bill literally overnight and never updated the websites for the public to follow the changes. Luckily, some of us were able to follow and testify. Many others were not.
There were also several other substitute bills floating around the Capitol with other dangerous provisions. To say this wasn’t “as bad” as some of the others because it has “good” stuff in it misses the point completely.
Read 6 tweets
Rev. James Woodall Profile picture
1 Apr
Jesus and disciples gathered for the Last Supper. He raised a loaf of bread and cup of wine, gave thanks and shared it. In doing so, he affirmed the gift of humanity and announced forgiveness of sin, even for women and children that were present but not recognized in scripture.
Jesus transitions to the Garden of Gethsemane where he tells Peter, James and John to “stay awake” as he goes up Mt. Sinai, to grieve, “even to death.” He wrestles with his calling, questions God’s presence and returns to find the disciples unable to keep watch in midnight hour.
Today we should observe this moment in solemn silence. Reflections over ‘hymns’ that get us through, ‘Gardens of Gethsemane’ that force us into vast vulnerability and lonely moments this work will leave us asking God, “Where in the hell are you?”
Read 5 tweets
Rev. James Woodall Profile picture
31 Mar
In one of the most known stories in the Bible, Judas goes to the chief priests and agrees to ‘betray’ Jesus for ‘thirty pieces of silver.’ The gospels according to Mark and John go even further to say that ‘Satan enters into him. #GoodWednesday
Judas in Greek means ‘praise’ yet is used in English synonymously with betrayal and treason. Some go further to describe “Judas” as people who use their proximity and privilege to benefit themselves rather than being a co-conspirator WITH Jesus.
But what if this wasn’t about betrayal against Jesus but treason against Rome? Jesus knew that Judas was “here to do” a prophetic work. Could the contemporary read cause us to miss the true conspiracy that is the eventual crucified Jesus?
Read 6 tweets
Rev. James Woodall Profile picture
31 Mar
As the disciples would inquire about “end of times,” Jesus pressed them to continue to lead in truth. Despite rumors of war, political conspiracy, false profits, leaders drunk w/ power, natural disaster and inevitable persecution in Jesus’ name, they were to “endure to the end.”
The #OlivetDiscourse causes reflection over inevitability of death AND powerful yet fragile nature of human existence - simultaneously. To be called into divine service meant to be in total opposition to the world at large and to expect violent resistance to our very presence.
It’s okay to wrestle within the darkness of the prophetic. Attacks will come. Sell-outs and counterfeits will reveal themselves. Within true purpose, you will have to fight against ppl, who you thought you were fighting for/with, who only seek to kill and destroy you.
Read 5 tweets
Rev. James Woodall Profile picture
27 Mar
I continue to see people ask how the new Georgia law, hereafter referred to as SB202, is a “voter suppression bill.” Here’s how.. #GaPol

A THREAD 🧵🪡
Shortens the amount of time that an eligible voter can request an absentee ballot. It also pushes up the deadline for when a voter must return their absentee ballot as well.
It adds ADDITIONAL photo identification requirements for voting by mail. If you don’t have a Drivers License, you have to send a photocopy of your ID.

This adds additional barriers for rural voters, non-convicted inmates, and poor and disabled voters.
Read 13 tweets
Rev. James Woodall Profile picture
26 Mar
I recall a story in the Bible where Jesus enters the Garden of Gethsemane and asks Peter James and John to keep watch during the midnight hour while he wrestles in the spirit on the mountaintop.

The same is true for many of us on today.
As we fight against the despair of darkness and the pain of persecution, know that you have been called to such a time as this. Keep watch, stay alert.
Truth be told, there will be some folks who fall asleep as they wait for the next move. People who are not able to keep watch because they are “drunk with the wines of the world.”

Don’t be distracted, though. Keep praying. Keep fighting. Keep wrestling.
Read 4 tweets

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