Trust In God
I’m not much of an animal person, which is odd for someone who grew up with so many. My childhood was filled with dogs, cats, chickens, a duck, cockatiels, rabbits, a rat, a lamb, a guanine pig, and chameleons. Don’t get me wrong, I loved all our pets but when I moved out on my own I decided against having any pets. So when I moved into my first real home I was surprised when my sister bought me a cat for Christmas. To be clear, she was a great gift that continues to be great.
Resurrection
Early morning on the first day of the week the same women who had followed Jesus and assisted Josephus and Nicodemus with his burial, returned to the grave taking with them more aromatic spices. Why they were doing so is not mentioned in any of the Gospel accounts. Perhaps, since the burial had been rushed due to the nearing Sabbath, they went to complete the work they had started. But there is another issue; they had seen Josephus and Nicodemus roll the stone into place, sealing the tomb. Why go to finish preparations when there was no way for them to gain entry?
Rush to Judgment
Jesus was taken to the high priest’s house due to the fact that his arrest was unlawful. First, Jesus was arrested without charges being raised against him. That’s illegal in most any society including first century Israel. Second, Judas was bribed to testify against Jesus. This is not only unlawful but makes Judas a criminal and unworthy of testimony. Third, the judges in Jesus’ first trial (the Sanhedrin) were the one who bribed Judas, making them far from impartial at best, and co-conspirators (and therefore criminals) at worst. Jesus didn’t raise these objections because it was the path to fulfilling his mission.
Satan Entered Judas
Last week Jesus told us to watch for the signs of his second coming. We begin this week with the parable of the Fig tree, which underscores this point. Just as one can tell the change in seasons be looking at the leaves of trees, so one should be able to identify the season of Christ’s return. For those who see the signs will be the generation that witness his return. You can count on it, for Jesus has spoken it and his words will never pass away. For this reason, we ought to spend each day in anticipation of his return.
The Way of the World
“Your naivety demeans you… Love and justice are not the primal forces of our world, sir. Gold is the primal force of our world. You believers say that is all about ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, but there is only profit and loss. You believe in laws, but there are only ledgers. Would that it were otherwise, Inspector Reid. Would that it were.” – Mr. Sacks, Ripper Street, season 2 episode 5, BBC.
Burial of Jesus
Joseph of Arimathea: International Man of Mystery. Some say he was a double agent, both a member of the Sanhedrin council (Luke 23.50) and a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27.57). He was both wealthy and a man of great faith, something Jesus taught was nearly impossible apart from an act of God. In the 4th century AD the Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint John Chrysostom, was the first to assert that Joseph was one of the 72 apostles commissioned in Luke 10 (which is possible). Later Joseph would be written into legend as the supposed first keeper of the Holy Grail (unlikely).
Jesus Arrested!
Remember way back in chapter nine (Luke 9.1-6) when Jesus sent the 12 out to surrounding villages with no money, weapons or extra clothing? The disciples certainly did. Jesus reminds them of that training session and then, surprisingly, reverses his orders. Now he tells them to take up their money bag, extra clothes, and a weapon – and if they didn’t have a sword they were to buy one! (This is the equivalent of carrying a concealed weapon today, though that’s not what we’re talking about today). Why would Jesus say such a thing? Because they needed to be prepared for what was coming.
Watch for Signs
When we left off last time, Jesus had just predicted the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, which occurred about 30 years later in 70 AD. He’s not done telling the disciples about the future however, and continues his monologue in verses 10 through 28. Jesus mentions in passing that there will be world wars, natural disasters and supernatural judgments, but before that comes to pass they will each endure persecution at the hands of their countrymen. The disciples were to expect arrest, trials before governors and kings, imprisonment and worse all because they identified with Messiah.
Saying Goodbye
Early morning After Jesus’ surprise in Emmaus, Cleopas and the unnamed disciple left at that late hour to return to Jerusalem and tell the other disciples what they had just seen. This was news that couldn’t wait, despite the dangers of nighttime travel. After relating the experience Jesus appeared before them all, “Shalom!” he said. “Pease be with you” instead of “Surprise!” which might have been more appropriate since surprised they were, startled and terrified at his sudden appearance. Luke tells us they thought they had seen a ghost! Even after all Jesus had told them and the events they had witnessed they still didn’t get it.
Crucifixion
Luke leaves out many of the more brutal details that Matthew and Mark include and picks up the story with Simon of Cyrene taking the cross from Jesus to carry it the rest of the way to Golgotha (23.26). Jesus and two other criminals were led by the guards and followed by Simon and a group of women who wailed in mourning. Jesus addressed the latter group explaining their tears would be better expressed for those who would experience the coming judgment. What judgment is Jesus referring to? Probably not the one you’re thinking of.
The Last Supper
The day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) had come, and American readers may have difficulty understanding the timeline of events. Jewish holidays start at sunset on one day and end at sunset the next. This explains how Jesus and the disciples can have the Passover meal before the Passover sacrifice is made the following day. As the passage opens, Jesus instructs the disciples to follow a man carrying water to a house, and to rent a room from the owner of the home for their celebration. This reveals Jesus’ omniscience and surprising care for the smallest parts of our lives.
Our Sacrifice
Immediately after toying with the Sadducees, while everyone was still listening to him, Jesus turned to his disciples and warned them against becoming hypocrites like the religious leaders. The Pharisees and their ilk may behave outwardly as devout men of God, but inwardly are devoted only to their own fame and fortune. It has been my experience that the more theatrical one is about their devotion, the darker the sins they are hiding. A good lesson for all church leaders to learn. An even better one is that such pretenders will be more severely punished.