Holy Week 2013: Parts 1 & 2

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will!
Oh, speak to re-assure me,
To hasten or control!
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul!- O Jesus, I have promised.

Holy week: King(dom) Come, pt 1:

“You have to know these things when you’re King”

Jesus’ mission on earth was to bring an awareness of the Kingdom of God (Mk 1:15). His ministry on earth ushered in the dawn of the Kingdom and his Kingly office. However, the first two offices of Prophet and Priest paved the way for the acknowledgment of his Kinghood.

 Matthew 22

Jesus claims his Kinghood to the teachers and leaders looking to catch him and sentence him to death. He does it by providing solid, king answers to the very bitter questions of the leaders. He even knows what they are doing. By the end Jesus also gives them fuel for their fire.

Mt 15-22

Jesus says to pay Caesar what’s owed him, and give to God what is God’s. Jesus was not instigating a political coup, which would have made it easy for them to arrest him on the spot. Instead he answered to the heart of the matter. Every ruler is put in place by God and should be revered and acknowledged as such. In addition, God will deal with them accordingly. All reverence, honor, and glory belong to Him.

In 23-33

 Jesus answers the question about marriage and who is whose in the kingdom.

He doesn’t get caught here by giving an incestuously positive response. But he removes all of the fire by saying there is no marriage beyond this earth and God is not a God of the dead. Asking the wrong questions it seems will get you a clearer answer than you may want. You may be shown what you have previously thought you have known, is wrong.

In 34-40

Jesus reminds us of our duties as citizens in the kingdom. 

Jesus succinctly quotes the Shema from Deut 6:5. For the second like it, in Lev. 19:19 we see to love our neighbor as ourselves. He is not tripped up by there inquiry as this is the very life of his ministry. They again find no fault with him.

41-45

Jesus gives the teachers what they were after by way of questioning them. The teachers agree the son of David will be the Christ. However, how will David call him “Lord” Jesus asks?

The Christ is the eternal King, sovereign and only one to rule over the earth justly. The teachers have no questions after Jesus lands this one home.

    

In Matthew 23 Jesus rebukes the leaders for being haughty, know it all self righteous tyrants. They have tied up all their beliefs in the wrong objects (holding to the law only, wealth, false teaching, hypocrisy, etc). The leaders for all their conniving have themselves open as books to be put on display by this wise King. His lament over the city of Jerusalem in 37-39 underlines his authority in all three offices.

Jesus as a servant-king paved the way for his people to follow him. We suffer, are short listed, ridiculed and cut down for the Kingdom to come.

King(dom) Coming part 2: John 12:17-50

Jesus presents himself here with unprecedented wisdom and humility. This is shortly after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and many people went out to see him. Following Jesus we learn is not just about following his followers. We are directed to follow Jesus directly. So far prior to holy week, that means things like being concerned for God’s Kingdom on earth the poor, sick and lonely. Following Jesus does not get us a pass on the dirty work. It assures us that the dirty work is necessary and ever present. The dirty work is gospel work. When it sucks, that is probably right where you should be. It was pleasnt for Jesus to die, but necessary: vs 27

     Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.

Jesus death is the catalyst for new life. Comparing it to a kernel of wheat that dies, then is buried and sprouts a field for harvest-we get a small glimpse of the supernatural in the natural of the elements of Jesus’ life. He alone dies that death so that many more may have life in God by believing that Christ is King, he is Lord.

Looking to Jesus from our vantage point we see him lighting our way in a very dark world. It just does not get any clearer than what he says to the people, and to us:

     ‘Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain          in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”’

Jesus brings stability and clarity to our world, relationships, internal and external perception. He illumines the truth of God in a world that despises it. It keeps us assured of our faith along the trials and heartbreaks of the world. He also will have the last say as King. What will he say to us? To you?