A Hasidic tale: all of the angels were rejoicing after Moses led the people through the Red Sea and into safety. Gabriel noticed that God was weeping and asked why.”Your people Israel are safe, O Lord.” Yes, God answered, “My people Israel are safe but my people the Egyptians are dead on the shore.” Jesus during his entire life was misunderstood. The people of his time imagined him as a national hero, as someone who would free the people from foreign oppression. They didn’t understand the prophecy of Isaiah. It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. Jesus was the light of the world. His message of love and compassion was meant for every person, not one particular people or nation. As we contemplate the cross we must see the embrace of Jesus includes all the peoples of the world, that we are all in the kingdom of God together.
