Meditation 3: Tuesday of Holy Week
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 1:18
I sometimes wonder what it was like for Jesus as he entered Jerusalem hailed as King and Messiah. He knew that those who were honoring him had a different idea of his Messiah-ship than he did. He was, in the words of David Mullins, a "disappointing Messiah". This was precisely because the kind of kingdom he was introducing was radically different than the one the cheering crowds expected, or even wanted.
It is just plain crazy. Crazy, that is, if you look at it from the world's perspective. The creator of the cosmos is now a part of that which he created, bound by creation's rules, vulnerable to creation's weaknesses. But, Paul makes it blatantly clear. The cross is the power of God. The way of Jesus, which is the way of the cross, is the perfect example of God's power displayed. While he could have availed himself of divine power and privilege he did not. In so doing he made of mockery of the world's concept of power and completely upset the preconcieved notions of those who were awaiting the Messiah.
God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
God chose the cross to exhibit his power. God chose the cross to reveal his vulnerablity. In his wisdom, God chose the cross to bring to light the futility of our own thinking. The way of the cross was offensive to Jews and crazy to the Greeks. To us today it remains a mystery that we can only begin to grasp.
the question
A similar question was asked before. What kind of Messiah do you expect? What kind of Lord do you expect Jesus to be? Have you bought into the idea that you and Jesus have some sort of contract and that he is bound to act in ways that are consistent with what you want? Or, are you willing to let him remake your expectations, as crazy as that may be, into ones that are more 'cross shaped'?
the prayer
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
the psalm
Psalm 94:8-15
Take heed, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?
The Lord knows the thoughts of man;
he knows that they are futile.
Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord,
the man you teach from your law;
you grant him relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
For the Lord will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
Judgement will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
I sometimes wonder what it was like for Jesus as he entered Jerusalem hailed as King and Messiah. He knew that those who were honoring him had a different idea of his Messiah-ship than he did. He was, in the words of David Mullins, a "disappointing Messiah". This was precisely because the kind of kingdom he was introducing was radically different than the one the cheering crowds expected, or even wanted.
It is just plain crazy. Crazy, that is, if you look at it from the world's perspective. The creator of the cosmos is now a part of that which he created, bound by creation's rules, vulnerable to creation's weaknesses. But, Paul makes it blatantly clear. The cross is the power of God. The way of Jesus, which is the way of the cross, is the perfect example of God's power displayed. While he could have availed himself of divine power and privilege he did not. In so doing he made of mockery of the world's concept of power and completely upset the preconcieved notions of those who were awaiting the Messiah.
God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
God chose the cross to exhibit his power. God chose the cross to reveal his vulnerablity. In his wisdom, God chose the cross to bring to light the futility of our own thinking. The way of the cross was offensive to Jews and crazy to the Greeks. To us today it remains a mystery that we can only begin to grasp.
the question
A similar question was asked before. What kind of Messiah do you expect? What kind of Lord do you expect Jesus to be? Have you bought into the idea that you and Jesus have some sort of contract and that he is bound to act in ways that are consistent with what you want? Or, are you willing to let him remake your expectations, as crazy as that may be, into ones that are more 'cross shaped'?
the prayer
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
the psalm
Psalm 94:8-15
Take heed, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?
The Lord knows the thoughts of man;
he knows that they are futile.
Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord,
the man you teach from your law;
you grant him relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
For the Lord will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
Judgement will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
posted by The Wheatland Mission @ 8:10 PM
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