Pastor Tom Johnson, February 21, 2016
Luke’s Gospel alone gives us the added detail of Jesus’ last days. Herod wants to kill Jesus. Jesus says to his concerned disciples, “Go and tell that fox Herod, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way.’” “Herod,” Jesus says, “I know you want my head like my cousin John the Baptist. I get it. But know that I set my own schedule. I’m on my heavenly Father’s watch. I know my time is short: today, tomorrow, and the next day is all I have. I will busy myself with what I have been called to do. I will continue to do what I have been doing since the beginning of my ministry. I will deliver people from their demons. I will heal people mind, body, and soul.” “In three days,” Jesus says, “my work will be done. I will cry out ‘It is finished!’ My goal will be reached. My objective will be complete. Your death threats and discouragement will not keep me from my heavenly mission.”
What would you do if you knew you only had three days to live? What if the countdown timer was set for 72 hours and that is all you had left. It now says 71 hours, 59 minutes, and the seconds move by relentlessly. I suspect that it would cause us to reflect. What do I value the most? Whom do I value the most? How would I spend my time? Would I quit my job or just say I was taking three successive personal days? What would I want to accomplish? Which goals would I set? How would I live differently? How would my attitude change? How would it impact the words I choose to speak toward others? What would my family and friends say about those last days in my life? Were those last 72 hours very different? If so, why? Would you say, “Why polish brass on a sinking ship?” or “Let us eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die!” We might be tempted to throw caution to the wind and live as if there are no consequences. We may try to cram in every pleasure and self-centered activity before time runs out.
But that is not the course of Jesus. That is not the way of the cross. When met with discouragement and death threats, Jesus sets his face like flint toward Jerusalem. When challenged to make the most of his time because his time is short, Jesus returns to his core values. His core values are doing good and preaching good news. He does not alter his course. He does not restructure his schedule. He continues to do what he came to do: to deliver us from our demons; to heal our minds, bodies, and souls; and to embrace the way to the Cross. He does not retreat or get sidetracked. Jesus leans into the resistance and moves forward. Jesus presses forward toward his upward calling and mission. He stands firm in his vision to bring us deliverance from death, evil, and sin—no matter the obstacle sent his way—no matter the threat of imminent death—no matter the doubts and unbelief thrown his way. This is core belief—to immediately impact the lives of those around him in a positive and loving way. This is at the center of Jesus’ mind, heart, and strength—to seek and to save those who are lost and give them an eternal home with him. This is true grit. This is persistence at its best—the tenacity of Jesus that brings about our forgiveness, life, and salvation. It’s the way of the cross. It’s Jesus’ via dolorosa—the painful way that he must go but soon will be behind him. Jesus is the hen of heaven whose wings spread wide enough to shield the whole world from harm and danger. You will not be able to stop this holy Mother from protecting her young. Jesus is our tiger mom who will bring us safely home. These next three days for Jesus will not go wasted. It is his love for sinners that drives Jesus dutifully and willingly to the Cross. It is his joy for redeeming fallen creation that propels him through the next three days to his death and resurrection for the life of the world.
What would you do if you knew you only had three days to live? Jesus’ example paves the way. His footsteps ahead lighten our paths. He is our forerunner. He calls us to take up our cross and follow him. Just as Jesus pressed forward in faith that our lives would be transformed for the better, so we press forward in faith trusting that he will make all things new. Just as Jesus would not let any obstacles impede his way, so we move ahead knowing that he who dwells within us is greater than he who is in the world.
Here we find our core belief. We define our values. We press on toward the upward call of knowing Jesus Christ our Savior. We do good. We facilitate healing. We compassionately deal with each other’s demons. We speak Good News. We rediscover our vocation—our calling to love God and neighbor. We use our unique gifts to serve one another. We utilize our strengths to build one another up. We fulfill our mission to be the Church—to spread our wings widely, to gather lovingly, to hold on tenaciously. And by his strength—by the love and tenacity of Jesus, we press forward.
Lord, Thee I love with all my heart;
I pray Thee, ne'er from me depart,
With tender mercy cheer me.
Earth has no pleasure I would share,
Yea, heav'n itself were void and bare
If Thou, Lord, were not near me.
And should my heart for sorrow break,
My trust in Thee no one could shake.
Thou art the portion I have sought;
Thy precious blood my soul has bought.
Lord Jesus Christ,
My God and Lord, my God and Lord,
Forsake me not! I trust Thy Word.
(from Hymn "Lord, Thee I love with all my heart," LSB 708 v.1)
No comments:
Post a Comment