Seriously

 

Hey, Cobblestone,

     The closing chapters of Luke’s Gospel are full of motion and voices. Imagine those last four chapters done as a stage production, and yourself as the stage manager. Your job would be insanely difficult, except for one important aspect. The characters are so diverse and their agendas are so disconnected – is everyone in place? In costume? Does everyone know their cues? The sheer number of moving pieces would be quite the challenge to coordinate. But one question is easily answered: “Is everyone in character?” It comes easily because all the characters in this complicated scene have one thing in common: no one is taking Jesus seriously.

     Consider the long list of those who showed more than a little flippancy toward Jesus.

Judas: Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray (Jesus) to them (Luke 22:3-4). Did Judas assume Jesus would wiggle his way out of betrayal as he had escaped from other tight spots?

The apostles: A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest (verse 24). Really? Wasn’t it obvious that the greatest was already among them, and there were no comparisons to be made?

The mob in Gethsemane: “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness” (verses 52-53). Cheaters! Having met Jesus on a level playing field earlier in the day – and losing spectacularly – they resorted to guerilla tactics.

Peter: …and Peter was following at a distance (verse 54). A strange way to show his loyalty, don’t you think?

The Council’s cronies: Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him (verses 63-65). The abuse speaks for itself.

The Council: “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer” (verses 67-68). Their minds were already made up, without any input from Jesus.

Pontius Pilate: But (the chief priests and crowds) were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time (23:5-7). Pilate may have known, more instinctively than some others in this drama, who Jesus really was. And yet, possessing the authority, he still lacked the conviction to overrule the mob.

Herod Antipas and his cronies: And Herod with his soldiers treated (Jesus) with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other (verses 11-12). Picture Herod the tetrarch as the bratty, silver-spoon party animal he was, drawing even the Roman governor into his fraternal vortex.

     Let’s hold up for a moment. Take a break from the unrelenting parade of bad actors. As Jesus’ crucifixion draws near, we’ve yet to consider some of the others: the Roman soldiers, the unrepentant criminal, the scoffing rulers at the very foot of the cross. We need time to think. Pause with me here, and ask, “Two thousand years removed from the Gospel scene, am I taking Jesus seriously?”

     Were you surprised at some of the people listed among the flippant and disrespectful? The usual suspects are there, sure, but what about Peter and the other disciples? Their actions don’t seem nearly as crass as, say, Herod’s. But would you agree they seemed to be missing some essential understanding of who Jesus was and what he was up to? Or, if not missing it, at least not acting on it consistently? And how about us?

     Today is Good Friday. Good Friday is our yearly reminder to take Jesus seriously.

     Is he the only begotten Son of God?

    Did he expend every bit of his life and die on the cross?

    Was his sacrifice the sufficient atonement fr the sins of the world?

    Were we lost and without hope apart from his atoning?

    Did he come out of the tomb on the third day?

    Is his righteousness now imputed to we who believe?

    Are we redeemed because of what he did?

    Are we made right with God through him?

    Is his resurrection the guarantee of ours?

    Will he rule and reign – visibly and without an enemy left standing – over all creation?

     The singular answer to all these questions is found in Scripture – a solid and resounding Yes. There’s every reason to take Jesus seriously. Down through history, some have… and some have not.

     Resurrection Sunday is coming, and we’ll celebrate. Shouts of praise are totally appropriate. Gladness will rule. But what about today – what is Good Friday for?

     In the narrative of the Gospels, Jesus speaks seven times from the cross. His divinity and his humanity are given full expression; neither is neglected or diminished. If anyone ever has or ever will question whether Jesus deserves glory and honor as the God who took on flesh for the purpose of redeeming mankind, the answer is found in these seven utterances:

Luke 23:34

Luke 23:39-43

John 19:25-27

Matthew 27:46

John 19:28

John 19:30

Luke 23:46

 

    Right, I only gave the Scripture addresses, not the verses themselves. Please look them up. As a way of honoring Jesus, find them in the Gospel accounts. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow – the somber and mysterious Holy Saturday between crucifixion and resurrection – hear what Jesus said from the cross. Sometime before Sunday morning, take his words into you, and honor him.

    Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour… And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split… When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:45, 51, 54). 

 

 Grace and Peace (seriously),

 

John