All one would have to do is read the few chapters of Matthew from the triumphal entry on Sunday to the moment Jesus is arrested and you would be faced with the condition of the human heart versus the work of God in Christ.
What do you mean?
Look at the cross: we did that.
The gospel writers, specifically Matthew and Luke in my opinion set up their readers with a dichotomy.
The gospel reading contrasts the efforts of the Pharisees to trick and discredit Jesus, with the forceful resistance which Christ mounts against their evil.
Every teaching Jesus gives during this week he has to back up with something. The Jewish leaders are looking for any way to discredit him.
Look at the cross: a world looking for credit, honor, and pride did that!
The Priests and Scribes ask why he is letting the people worship Him and why he cleansed the temple. Jesus quotes Scripture.
They come again to him the next day and ask him by what authority he is teaching in. Jesus responds with a question of their own that they cannot answer. Then he shares parables.
Later that day the Pharisees and the Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question regarding paying taxes. Jesus responds with the famous lines,
“You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
And then, the Sadduccess come by and ask him about the Resurrection. Jesus silences them by saying,
"Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God."
Umm, talk about a slap in the face!
Look at the cross: a world that has been embarrassed and trying to save face did that.
Next, the Pharisees try again but Jesus first stumps them with a question about the identity of the Messiah.
All of this was just on Monday.
The Gospel writers want to be clear... the Cross was a choice for Jesus, he chose to die, BUT the people also chose to kill Him.
He was just edgy enough, He was just controversial enough, He was just litigious enough to be killed.
And for us to follow Him to that cross, wholeheartedly, abandoned to self, sacrificially... is also a choice. A choice we make every moment we are alive. A choice to put ourselves in the hands of those around us, even our enemies. The cross beckons us.
Friends, Look at the Cross.
This is a call to self evaluation. Are we really any different than the crowd that shouted, "Crucify Him!"?
The Jewish leaders were plagued with envy. So they wanted Him dead.
They were greedy for more and more attention, more honor, more privilege... and He stole their thunder. He had to be removed.
The Romans saw Him as a threat to stability in the region. He had to go.
The people saw Him as a heretic. He claimed to be God?! Away with Him.
His enemies mocked Him, and yet He remained steadfast.
His disciples, gripped with confusion, chained with fear... repented of following Him and ran, they ran far away. He was as good as dead.
Look at the cross: because all our efforts for self-actualization will always be us killing God in our hearts. Let the cross be a reminder of the ugliness we are capable of.
This is the life Christians are called to. This is the life this week reminds us of. A life chiseled and crafted into an image of a cross.
Part of the scandal, part of the torment, part of the harshness of the cross is that Jesus was numbered among the tens of thousands executed by Rome in the name of "freedom" and "security."
Look at the cross: it shows what lengths we go to for the facade of protection.
When Jesus was crucified he was just one of three that day. This is divine solidarity with all human suffering at the hands of all that is wrong in this world.
Oh church! Look at the cross.
Look at the cross: The world arranged around greed, blame, and violent power did that! And it still does.
Look at the cross: The world arranged around sacrifice, acceptance, and peace is what it brings!
And it still does.
Look at the cross. Wonder in the cross. Let the bloody nails soak into your own soul. Let the crown of thorns penetrate your mind. Let the cost weigh upon your heart.
For this is the only way we can accurately prepare for Resurrection.
This Holy Week, do not look towards the empty tomb until you have given ample thought and precious time to look at the cross!
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Nathan Bryant
Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.
Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.
Follow him on Twitter: Follow @nathanpbryant
Nathan's Website
Follow him on Twitter: Follow @nathanpbryant
Nathan's Website
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