Jesus baptizes with the the Holy Spirit

Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirit

Mark 1:1-9  ⁴ John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶ Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸ I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

I love the way the gospel of Mark begins.  Within the first paragraph, Mark establishes Jesus' deity and then Jesus' purpose.  Jesus came to "baptize with the Holy Spirit." 

In our culture, we don't really get what it means to be "baptized with the Holy Spirit".  Most would say it has something to do with the spiritual discipline of "speaking in tongues".  And if you ask the average person what Jesus' purpose was, they will  most likely say that it was to get people into heaven.  But Mark thinks differently.  He sees Jesus as "the Messianic bearer of the Holy Spirit" - fancy words I learned from a book I read in seminary.   They mean that all of Jesus' work - his birth, life, death, and resurrection, was so that this followers could be baptized with the Holy Spirit and have the Holy Spirit living within them. 

The Holy Spirit is what marks us as followers of Jesus.  It is what enables us to be in right relationship with God and in right relationship with one another.  It is what sets us aside for holy use.  Jesus came to make this possible.  Through his death and resurrection, our hearts are cleaned so that when the Holy Spirit was sent at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit could indwell our hearts joining with believers - to guide them, comfort them, set them aside for God's work.

The indwelling Holy Spirit is what makes Jesus' people a new race - set aside to be the people of God - set aside to become the Kingdom of God.  The prophets talked about this new race of people from ancient times.  And Jesus came to make it possible.  In his death and resurrection, we are cleansed - our brokenness healed - so that the Holy Spirit can indwell us.

Most of us would rather just have a ticket to heaven than to give ourselves over to allowing the Holy Spirit to live within us - to direct us.  But a ticket to heaven was not Jesus' purpose.  His purpose was to baptize us with the Holy Spirit so that we could live in right relationship with God and each other.

Do we ignore that Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirit?  How differently would we live if the gospel - the good news - was not about dying with a ticket to heaven, but about living in right relationship with God and others through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus was Yahweh

Jesus accepts John's claim that he, Jesus, was Yahweh - the one true God.

Mark 1:1-9 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins... 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals..." 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

The words of the prophet Isaiah written 800 years before Christ's birth:  Isaiah 40:3 "A voice is crying -- in a wilderness -- Prepare ye the way of Yahweh, Make straight in a desert a highway..."

The Prophet Isaiah lived about 800 years before Christ.  He prophesied, among other things, about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  In these verses, Isaiah said there would be one who came before Jesus to prepare the way for Jesus.  John the Baptist not only claimed to be the person who would prepare Jesus' way, but John claimed Jesus was the one called "Yahweh" by the prophet Isaiah.  Yahweh is the one true God - the creator and sustainer of the universe - who desires a relationship with us.

This is huge.  Right off the bat, Mark identifies Jesus as not only the Son of God, but he records John identifying Jesus as Yahweh.  Jesus accepts this claim by identifying as a follower of John through baptism.

Do we ignore that Jesus was not just a good teacher or a nice prophet?  He claimed to be not only the son of God, but Yahweh - the one true God?  How does that inform the rest of what Jesus does and says?  Can we ignore this and still be followers of Jesus?

Jesus will always be with us

Jesus teaches that he will always be with his followers.

Matthew 28:20 And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

These are the very last words of Jesus that Matthew records in his gospel.  He wants us to know that we are not alone in our biggest successes or our worst failures.  He will always be with his followers.  No qualifications.  When we fail due to incompetency, brokenness, or our own bad choices, he is still there with us!!  When things are going well and we think we don't really need his guidance, he is right there too.  Even when the world turns on us... he is there!  He isn't just watching from a distance - he is with us!!  He is experiencing our lives with us. 

How does this knowledge affect us?  Might we take more risks knowing he is taking the risk with us?  Might we follow him and his teachings even when the personal benefit is negligible and the personal sacrifice is huge?  Might we forgive and love even when the chances are high that the forgiveness and love won't be returned - when hatred and meanness will be thrown in our faces?  Will we interpret our lives - even the sorrow and tragedy - knowing he is right here with us?

Do we ignore the last words Matthew records from Jesus: "I will always be with you" and do we live like he meant it?

Jesus pushes evangelism

Jesus directs his followers to invite everyone to follow his way and become part of his community.

Matthew 28:16-20 ¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.

These are part of the last words that Matthew records Jesus speaking.  They must be pretty significant. 

As we dropped our son off at college, I felt the need - as we stood in the parking lot - to give my son some last words... to review all that we had taught him in his first 18 years - just to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything important.  But I was too overwhelmed to say much at all.  I was afraid that if I started crying, I might never stop.

Not far from our car, I could hear a father almost scolding his daughter, "You just need to believe in yourself.  Stop all the negative talk."  Most parents were crying.  Most students were just hoping mom and dad would get on down the road.  And then I saw my husband point to my son's heart and heard him saying, "Remember who you belong to!"  If our son remembers that he has been claimed by Jesus as he decides on his major, picks out a girlfriend - maybe even a wife, and eventually takes his place in the world, he will do better than fine.  Instead of reviewing the lessons of the last 18 years, my husband summed up the most important thing our son needed to know and let it hang in the air so it would sink in.

This is what Jesus is doing in this scripture.  He is summing up for us what leaving his followers behind is ultimately all about:  "inviting others to follow him."  He left us behind to tell others about him and his community and invite them to become one with us. If we remember this, we will do better than fine too.

But isn't it pushy to "make disciples"?  Shouldn't we just respect whatever philosophy or person or faith others follow?  Who am I to push my views on someone else?  This is a lot to ask... I am just trying to get through the day, pay my mortgage, make sure my kids get an education, and relax a little before I go to bed at night before I have to get up and do the whole thing over again.  Most of us want to believe that Jesus didn't want us to insert ourselves in other traditions and faiths --  redirecting them to Christ.  We want to believe that Jesus would like for us to "just let them be" - we want to hear Jesus teach "its all good".  But Matthew records Jesus speaking something different. 

Do we ignore Jesus' directive to invite others to become his followers? 

Jesus sends women to preach the gospel first

Jesus gives women the honor of being the first to preach the gospel...

Jesus has been crucified and buried.  The women have kept the Sabbath law and stayed at home.  But now Sabbath is over and they head to Jesus' tomb.  These women have no standing in Jewish society - they aren't even allowed to testify in court.  But they are the ones that Jesus chooses to preach the goodnews to the disciples.  Think about it... Jesus could have gone straight to where the disciples are in hiding and talked to them directly.  But he chooses to send these women to preach the goodnews to the disciples. 

Matthew 28:1-10 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb... ² And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴ For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." ⁸ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

I love when Jesus turns culture and norms upside down!  True to all that he has taught previously... about those who serve being the leaders in the Messiah's community... he demonstrates it here.  The women have come to dress Jesus' body properly with herbs.  They have come to serve.  When they see Jesus, they grab onto his feet and hold tight.  They worship him!  So Jesus gives them a message to spread that will change the world forever:  "He is Risen!"  He sends these insignificant, marginalized women to preach the gospel to the men who consider themselves leaders. 

Do we ignore Jesus' example of sending women to preach the gospel?  

Jesus takes on our brokenness.

Jesus takes the brokenness of the world on himself.

Matthew 27:46 ⁴⁶ And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

We are all broken.  We are broken because others have hurt us and we have places that need healing.  We are also broken because we have chosen paths that are not right - paths that hurt ourselves and others. We are not the good that God intended for us to be.  We are not whole.  This lack of wholeness keeps us from reconciliation with God and others.

In a sense, there are two ways that we can place our brokenness on Jesus. 

The first way is a way of healing and becoming whole.  We recognize that we are broken and realize that by following Jesus, we give him the power to heal us - desiring to become who Jesus made us to be.  But a part of me holds back from Jesus' healing even now.  I think if you are honest, part of you holds back too.  Will we be bored if we become fully his followers?  Some of the stuff he taught is opposed to our personal success.  Will we look foolish singing Kumbaya - holding hands and praying?  Will we have to tolerate "his followers" - some of which are nothing more than despicable rule followers not Christ followers?  Will we have to forgive those who have hurt us?  Will Jesus take us out of our comfort zones away from things that we like?  We've gotten pretty comfortable living a half life of only following Jesus when it is easy.  We are used to our white lies and savvy business deals that put our interests first.  But to be whole, reconciled to God and others, we have to acknowledge all these broken parts and give them over to Jesus to heal us. 

As Jesus hung on the cross, his death was for this purpose - to take on our brokenness - the brokenness caused by others hurting us - the brokenness we have caused ourselves.  He wants to heal it so we can be our best selves.  The selves he created us to be - in right relationship with God and others.  As he takes on our brokenness, God forsakes him.  And Jesus knows for the first time what it is like to be separated from God.  He knows what it is like to be us.  He allows this to happen so that he can begin his work which will be completed in his resurrection that will heal not only our relationship with God, but our relationships with each other too.

But there is another way we can put our brokenness on Jesus (and on each other).  This way leads to spiritual death.  This way does not reconcile us to God or to each other.  Instead of acknowledging our brokenness and seeking Jesus' healing, we blame him and others for our problems.  This is what both the Jews and the Gentiles did at Jesus' trial.  Instead of acknowledging their brokenness and allowing Jesus to heal it, they accused him of lying.  They blamed Jesus for their political problems and hung their sins around his neck.  Jesus warned his followers that the same thing would happen to them - lies would be told and they would be blamed for other's brokenness.   This way separates us from God and each other.  This way is hell.  Most of us live out this hell every day.  We live it when we hold grudges.  We live it when fail to ask forgiveness of God and others.  We live it when we seek our best at another's expense whether that happens in a business deal, a marriage or a friendship.

Jesus allowed God to forsake him so that Jesus could own our brokenness.  By following him - desiring him to heal us - giving him permission to transform us... thanking him for taking us on....our brokenness is then placed on him.  And we wait for the power of the resurrection to complete his healing work.

Do we ignore that Jesus wants to heal our brokenness?

Obedience despite personal humiliation and pain

Jesus demonstrates obedience despite personal humiliation and pain.

The Jews, after condemning Jesus in their own religious court, have turned Jesus over to the Gentiles who have the power to free Jesus or carry out the death sentence...

Matthew 27:11-45 ¹¹ Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." ¹² But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. ¹³ Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?" ¹⁴ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed...   ²⁶ after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified... ²⁸ They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" ³⁰ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. ³¹ After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him...  ³⁹ Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰ and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." ⁴¹ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ⁴² "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, 'I am God's Son.'"

Jesus has made the choice to go through this pain and humiliation in obedience to his Father.  Most of us are under the impression that if something is humiliating or painful - then we need to take action to resist it - to stand up for ourselves.  It is our right!  To do otherwise would be to act as a doormat, become a sissy.  Right?  I mean, if someone hurts our feelings, don't we have the right to retaliate or at a minimum, be hateful to them?  Shouldn't we reach out to everyone we know and raise support for ourselves? 

But Jesus shows us a different example here.  He doesn't answer the charges.  He neither falls apart with hurt feelings nor yells back with insults.  He doesn't even seek to prove how powerful or righteous he is.  He doesn't resist the humiliation and pain. Instead, he knows who he is and he is secure in it.  He knows this is happening so that through his death and resurrection, humanity can be reconciled not only to God, but to each other.

When someone hurts us - humiliates us - isn't fair to us, are we prepared to react out of knowing who we are in Christ (knowing we have infinite worth in God's eyes) instead of trying to defend ourselves with hurt feelings or insults?  Are we able to speak truth to the situation rather than judgement? Are we able to show them God's love despite whatever they have done to us? 

Do we ignore Jesus' example to be obedient even when it is personally painful and humiliating?

Note:  This does not mean God wants us to stay in abusive situations where there is physical violence and verbal abuse.  Living with domestic abuse is not God's plan for us.  Jesus, however, knew his death was part of God's plan.  Removing ourselves from domestic violence so we can no longer be hurt is almost always the only way we can demonstrate God's love to the abuser. 

Jesus defines Messiah - Is this what we want and expect?

Jesus' teaches that he is the Messiah  - BUT is this the kind of Messiah that we really want?

Jesus is at trial now.  They ask if he is the Messiah.  This is a difficult question for Jesus to answer because their understanding of Messiah and his understanding of Messiah are vastly different things.  Their understanding of Messiah was that he was going to take back their land and culture.  They believed the Messiah would show up to support their best interests - to put them in power - to put down their enemies.  This is the Messiah they wanted and worshiped. 

Unfortunately, Jesus is not that Messiah.  In fact, that is a very wrong, but very familiar view of what the Messiah is - even today among Christians, both conservatives and liberals.  All too often, Conservative Christians claim Jesus backs their political views... the US constitution... their set of rules to force on others. Likewise Liberal Christians often claim Jesus backs their agenda... their set of good works to accomplish... their set of good deeds to force on others by passing laws that demand good works get done. Neither camp is too far away from what those who killed Jesus had expected a Messiah would do for them too!  But Jesus didn't come to force our behavior by the passing of laws.  He didn't support laws that kept us from doing wrong - nor did he support laws to make us do right.  He came to transform our hearts so that whatever disciplines we live by... whatever good works we do.... are done out of pure hearts - are done out of love for God and others.

This is the Messiah spoken of in scripture.  Is it the Messiah we want?

Matthew 26:63-67 ⁶³ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." ⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What is your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves death." ⁶⁷ Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him...

If Jesus is not going to put us in power, to give us what we want and deserve for following some set of rules or doing some set of good works that we think make us righteous, then what is the point of following him?  This is what is on their minds.  Jesus - instead of paying attention to them - the important, powerful religious leaders - has been out healing those who are unclean - those with diseases.  He has been eating with tax collectors.  He has paid attention to prostitutes and those with deep scars from years of sin.  He has been transforming everyone who desires to follow him.  This is not a Messiah that they can tolerate.  He doesn't fit into their plans.  So there is only one thing to do:  Kill him!

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he is not the Messiah we have expected?

You can't use violence to protect Jesus.

Jesus teaches "for all who take the sword will perish by the sword."

Matthew 26:46-54 ⁴⁶ Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand." ⁴⁷ While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him." ⁴⁹ At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?"

Jesus voluntarily walks into the hands of those who will reject, torture, and kill him.  He knows that it is the will of God for him to become the sacrifice that will allow the reconciliation of humanity to God.  But there is one disciple, who hadn't gotten the memo that Jesus was going to accept this path willingly.   John records in his gospel that it is Peter who pulls out a sword and resorts to violence to protect Jesus.  Jesus says "No violence!  I don't need it.  I am doing this willingly."

What is going on in Peter's mind?  He has proclaimed his loyalty to Jesus even to his own death.  And now he is showing that he meant it - and draws a sword to protect Jesus.  He certainly couldn't single-handedily fight off the crowd (bearing weapons) who have shown up with the purpose of taking Jesus.  Peter is willing to go down in a fight.  But Jesus won't let Peter fight.  Jesus allows himself to be captured. 

What is going on in Peter's mind as Jesus is led away - the sword still at his side?  In just a few hours Peter will be identified as one of Jesus' followers, but Peter will deny it.  Peter is willing to go out fighting, but he is not willing to voluntarily turn himself over to Jesus' enemies which would have certainly happened had he told the truth that he was Jesus' follower. 

I think Peter faces the same question we often face as a nation - even as individuals.  There is an enemy that wants to harm us.  We know how to use violence, but we can't imagine just giving ourselves over to the enemy - standing by when we have a sword and letting the enemy take us.  That would be insane.  Right?

We admire people who are willing to go out fighting the enemy:  "Don't go down without a fight!"  They are our heroes.  But we laugh at people who say, "I won't resort to violence."  We don't admire or even understand people who give themselves over to the enemy without a fight.  That is foolish!  But this is the foolishness of being Jesus' follower.  Can we ever justify protecting the things of God through violence?  Jesus tells Peter not to use violence - there is a better way for Jesus' followers to behave - one that demonstrates we have placed not only our souls, but our bodies into the hands of God.  I am sad that in 2000 years, we still see violence as the answer. 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that all who take the sword will die by the sword?

Answer to a willing spirit, but weak flesh: Prayer with Friends

Jesus teaches that our spirit may be willing, but that our flesh is weak.  He demonstrates that prayer - praying with friends - is the answer to over coming the flesh and living in the spirit.

On the night before Jesus died...

Matthew 26:31-46 ³¹ Then Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' ³² But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." ³³ Peter said to him, "Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you." ³⁴ Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." ³⁵ Peter said to him, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." And so said all the disciples. ³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." ³⁷ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. ³⁸ Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." ³⁹ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." ⁴⁰ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹ Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ⁴² Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." ⁴³ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to stay awake and pray (with friends!) when the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?

Jesus is facing rejection, humiliation, torture, and death.  This is God's plan to reconcile all of humanity with himself.  Jesus' spirit is willing to do God's will, but his flesh is not so happy with what is going to happen in the next few hours.  So Jesus brings his closest friends (three of his disciples) with him for support.  He asks them to "stay awake with him and to pray" while he goes and prays too. 

The verses leading up to this event (in Chapter 24) tell the disciples over and over to "stay awake."  "Staying awake" means they will be able to outsmart those who want to steal from them, to take care of the things and people entrusted to them, to be prepared, to even increase the gifts God has given them.  And now... here comes the first test for these disciples.  Jesus has already told him that his death is going to happen really soon.  He is scared. Upset. Grieved!  Jesus' flesh doesn't want to face torture and death.  His spirit is willing, but his flesh says, "no."  He wants to talk it over with God.  And he wants his friends to stay awake and pray while he does.

But his friends take a nap. 

Jesus walks back to where they were to be praying - I believe to talk over what God has revealed to him in his prayer - and they are asleep!  Some friends!  What a great support system. His friends won't even pray with him during his darkest hour.

I had the experience recently of needing healing from a very broken heart.  God had told me "no" to something very precious to me - something I loved very much.  I wasn't mad at God, but I was having a hard time understanding God's plan - a hard time adjusting to rejection and loss.  My friend asked if she could sit and pray - not with me - but for me - as I prayed to God.  We sat together - she prayed silently for me as I had a silent heart-to-heart with God.  I didn't realize that what I was experiencing was what Jesus had wanted his disciples to do for him on the night before he died.  He wanted them to stay awake and pray while he prayed.  As my friend and I prayed, we would stop to talk about what God was revealing to me.  We prayed for a long time. She "stayed awake" with me and interceeded for me. It was the most powerful prayer I have ever experienced.

If you are experiencing a "willing spirit, but weak flesh", Jesus teaches us by his example to grab a friend (one who won't fall asleep) and ask them to pray for you as you talk to God.  Pause occasionally to talk about what God is revealing.  And then pray some more.  This is how Jesus has taught us to strengthen a willing spirit and overcome weak flesh.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to stay awake and pray (with friends!) when the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?  Is there someone you need to stay awake and pray with today?

God's Will Not Ours

Jesus teaches obedience by example

Obedience is a complicated thing.  Someone can give you a list of rules and tell you to keep them.  And that is one kind of obedience.  You don't need to know why a rule exists and you don't need to put much thought into it... you just need to do what it says.  This is childlike obedience - trusting that the rule giver has your best interests at heart and following them.  This is as far as the Pharisees ever got in their relationship with God.

But there is a whole other kind of obedience... the kind that can't be covered by a list of rules.  It is more like following than obeying.  It requires a partnership with the rule giver.  It comes from knowing the will of the person you are following - knowing their desires, their plans, their character - and then representing that with all that you are.  This is the kind of obedience we see in Jesus as he is about to be captured and put to death (and it is the kind of obedience he wants from us too)...

Matthew 26:31-46 ³⁷ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. ³⁸ Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." ³⁹ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." ⁴⁰ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹ Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ⁴² Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." ⁴³

Jesus knows the mind and heart and will of the Father.  He knows God's plan is for Jesus to be rejected by "God's people", tortured, and to die a horrific death.  Naturally, he doesn't want to go through with it.  He asks God to come up with some other plan - another plan that will reconcile humanity to a place where they can be in relationship with God.  And God says "No!"  God says NO to Jesus.  Has God ever said no to something you have asked for?  to healing? to a need? to changing a situation?  Jesus hears God say no.  And instead of running from the pain that is to come.  Jesus says, "Your will be done."

Most of us really don't know God's will for us.  We aren't walking close enough to God to know.  Most of us are pretty good at following a list of rules that we think God wants us to follow, but we aren't really walking close enough to God to know God's will for our lives.  But Jesus did - and we can too by asking, seeking, knocking.  The first step to obedience is knowing the desires, plans, character of God - and then participating in God's mission. 

Jesus knows God's plan.  He asks God to change it. God says no.  Jesus says, "Your will be done."

Do we ignore Jesus' example of obedience?  Are we willing to walk close enough to God to know his will for us?  Are we willing to do God's will even when we don't like it?

Worship, Remember, Look Forward, and be Nurtured by Christ

Jesus teaches the disciples a new way to worship, to remember, to look forward to, and to be nurtured by him. 

Matthew 26:26-30 ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; ²⁸ for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." ³⁰ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

This new ritual that Jesus taught his disciples is still practiced today.  We know it by the names of Eucharist, The Lord's Supper, or Communion.  Christians believe different things about it.  Some believe the bread and wine turn into the actual body and blood of Christ.  Others believe it is just symbolic.  And there are those who believe things in between those extremes.  Whatever one believes, Jesus was teaching this new ritual to the disciples as a way to worship, to remember, to look forward to celebrating it again with him one day, and to be nourished by him.  Matthew records that the blood represents the new covenant that will begin with the death of Christ when his blood is poured out - a covenant where our sins are forgiven and makes possible our reunion with Christ.

Do we ignore Jesus' example of practicing communion?

Worship is even more important than the poor

Jesus teaches that there is an even more important thing for his followers to do than meet the needs of the poor.  Really?  For many of us who embrace the social justice aspects of the Old Testament and Gospels, these are shocking words out of Jesus' mouth! 

Matthew 26:6-13 ⁶ Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. ⁸ But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? ⁹ For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." ¹⁰ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. ¹¹ For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. ¹² By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."

I like that the disciples become indignant.  Here they are portrayed as social activists whose goal is to help the poor.  And practically speaking - in their minds - the expensive perfume should not be wasted on Jesus (who just happens to be the creator and sustainer of the universe).  It should be sold so that the needs of the poor can be met.  So these disciples become angry with the woman!  Maybe they are even mad at Jesus too.

But this woman - seemingly impractical and sentimental - pours the expensive perfume on Jesus' head.  It is a tender scene - we watch on as she worships Jesus - the creator and sustainer of the universe.  If you are like me, you are a bit jealous of this woman.  I want to be the one to stand next to Jesus - God wrapped in flesh -  look into his eyes and tenderly pour perfume on his head.  I want to express my love for him like she did.  If given the chance, would I take my expensive perfume and chance an encounter with arrogant disciples and go to him?  She is an example to us of what worshiping God is like.  It takes courage to buck the arrogant authorities, wisdom to set right priorities, and real love for Jesus.  She gets to worship Jesus - not from far away in a church pew, but up close and personal.  To be close enough to watch him breath, feel the warmth from his body, and even touch him.  She worships Jesus.

And Jesus is touched.  My guess is that this is not just a random act by an impractical, sentimental woman.  My guess is that, unlike the disciples, she has internalized the words of Jesus in the verses just prior to these: "the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified," (Matthew 26:2).  She knows that she can't stop his approaching pain, but she can demonstrate her love for him now.  And she does.

As she moves away from Jesus, the disciples attack her.  Accuse her of waste.  But Jesus defends her.  And promises that her great love for Jesus - her desire to be close to him - to worship him - will never be forgotten.  Her story has been told and retold for more than 2000 years.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that worshiping him is even more important than giving to the poor?

Jesus' followers can be identified by the care they give each other.

Jesus teaches that those who inherit his kingdom treat the most insignificant members of his family as they would treat Jesus himself.  Great news - right? But there is bad news too... those who don't treat others like Jesus teaches, they are sent into eternal punishment. 

Jesus divides his true followers from his fake followers - not along lines of theology and not along lines of successful rule keeping - but along the lines of how they treat the other members of his family.

Matthew 25:31-46 ³¹ "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, ³³ and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.

³⁴ Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶ I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? ³⁸ And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? ³⁹ And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' ⁴⁰ And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'

⁴¹ Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' ⁴⁴ Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' ⁴⁶ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

There is some scholarly disagreement over the underlined segment in verse 40 above:  "who are members of my family"  .  Many say Jesus was including the entire human race in the directive to treat others with great love.  But many read "who are members of my family" in verse 40 to mean that in this case, Jesus is saying he will judge us on how we treat other followers of Jesus - not on how we treat the entire human race.  It is true, that Jesus defines his family earlier in Matthew 12:46-50 as "whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."  Jesus also says that the world will identify his followers by their love for each other.  So... I agree with the latter interpretation that here Jesus is saying that within the earthly church's membership rolls his true followers can be identified by how they treat each other.  And those who are not his true followers mistreat and neglect and fail to take care of other followers of Jesus.  As a shepherd would look at his flock and be able to separate the goat from the sheep by their characteristics, Jesus will use the determining characteristic of how his supposed followers have treated each other in order to separate the true follower from the fake ones.

Does that mean we shouldn't care for those who are not followers of Jesus?  Of course not!  We can join together as Jesus' family and by sharing resources treat them even better than we treat each other.  There are plenty of places and examples where Jesus has taught and demonstrated the kind of love and abundance to non-followers.  It just isn't what Jesus is going to use to separate true from fake followers - at least not according to Matthew's gospel.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his followers can be identified by the care they offer each other?  Do we recognize that we are to be servants to each other... that this is an identifying mark of whether we are really part of Jesus' family or not?  Think of the least of Jesus' followers - how have you loved them? 

Improve on God's gifts

Jesus teaches us to improve on what God has given us.

Our culture puts a great value on "belief"... it says if you believe in Jesus, you are as good as signed, sealed, and delivered into the Kingdom of God.  We have come to see "belief" as different from following Jesus.  So these examples that Jesus gives now are bound to make us feel uncomfortable.  Jesus expects his followers to improve on what he has given us while we wait for his return.  The reward is two fold... more responsibility and sharing in God's joy.  The result of not improving upon what God has given us is... well, rather harsh....

Matthew 25:14-30 ¹⁴ "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵ to one he gave five coins, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ The one who had received the five coins went off at once and traded with them, and made five more coins. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had the two coins made two more coins. ¹⁸ But the one who had received the one coin went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. ¹⁹ After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ Then the one who had received the five coins came forward, bringing five more coins, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five coins; see, I have made five more coins.' ²¹ His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' ²² And the one with the two coins also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two coins; see, I have made two more coins.' ²³ His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' ²⁴ Then the one who had received the one coin also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your coin in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' ²⁶ But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the coin from him, and give it to the one with the ten coins. ²⁹ For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰ As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

The master sees the first two servants as trustworthy, not because these two servants accepted, believed in, were thankful for, or kept safe the things that the master gave them, but because the servants multiplied the gifts.  What gifts (money, knowledge of the gospel, friends, students, talents, skills, education, love, joy, etc) has God given us that we need to multiply?  Do we ignore this story by first not acknowledging that what we have is from God and secondly not seeking ways to improve upon it for him?

Well, that is the upbeat side of the story.  There's a third servant who not only doesn't improve upon the gift the master gives him, but attacks the master!  The servant judges the master by accusing the master of exploiting the labor of others! The servant exposes himself as someone who has never really loved the master - never been on his side - never wanted to work for him - never wanted to follow him.  We know the servant is wrong in his judgement - the master knows it too and points out to the servant that if he really believed this, he would have at least given the gift to someone else to use.  The third servant is unwilling to take responsibility for his shortcomings and tries to blame the master making up lies about him.  The result is that the servant is thrown into outer darkness.  And worst of all, Jesus calls him "worthless." 

I really wish Jesus wouldn't say those kind of things.  But this is the reality of what the gospel writers heard him say. 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we are expected to improve on what God has given us?

The End: Being claimed by Jesus takes personal preparation.

Jesus teaches us that knowing him is coupled with wisdom.  And this wisdom takes preparation which is related to our relationship with Jesus.

Matthew 25:1-13 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; ⁴ but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵ As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. ⁶ But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' ⁷ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' ⁹ But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' ¹⁰ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. ¹¹ Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' ¹² But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' ¹³ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Through out scripture the Messiah, Jesus, is called the bridegroom and his church is called his bride.  Here we see a picture of Jesus returning to unite with his church, but 1/2 of those claiming to be his church, aren't.  They never were, he says that he never even knew them.

An interesting thing to consider is why the wise women don't share their oil with the ones who have not brought any extra?  Why don't the wise women bring enough for the foolish women too?  Haven't we been taught to bear other's burdens?  This is very different from Jesus' teachings about life in the Kingdom where sharing is key to community.

Perhaps Jesus is making a point that - preparedness can't be transferred or shared.  Preparedness is personal - it is coupled to our relationship with Jesus.  He says, "he never knew" those who were unprepared.  Do we become prepared by entering a relationship with Jesus - by accepting his invitation to "follow me"?  Being a member of the church enables us to be in the community of believers and is the only way to live out our Christian lives, but it is our personal relationship with the bridegroom that matters in this story - it prepares us with wisdom - it informs us to bring extra oil.  

The wise women brought extra oil to keep their lights lit.  They were prepared to wait because they knew Jesus.  Are we prepared to wait?  What does being prepared to wait mean to our daily lives in the here and now?  Are we followers of Jesus?

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that being prepared is personal? 

The End: Be ready - keep following the teachings of Jesus

Jesus teaches that since we don't know when the end begins, we should focus on being ready - continuing to live as Jesus taught.

Matthew 24:42-51 ⁴² Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming... 

"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. ⁴⁷ Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.

⁴⁸ But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' ⁴⁹ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. ⁵¹ He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Okay, I want to ignore the part about "cutting the 'servant gone bad' into pieces."  Interesting thing for Jesus to say.  Do you think he means it? He makes a strong point that his followers shouldn't grow weary of following him.  It especially makes God very upset if we start abusing our position and hurting others.  I think God knew that would be our tendency.  Things get rough for those following the teaching of Jesus... they take it out on each other and others... they take his name in vain...  they use God for their own gain.  Jesus is saying that God won't put up with that. 

As I watched the political ads this week, politician after politician touted their "god fearing" character.  I hope they really do have that character.  Because if they are just claiming to follow Jesus in order to get the vote... if they don't really plan to follow Jesus' teachings - even the hard ones - while in office... well, that's not so good.

Do we ignore Jesus' warning not to stray?

The End: Jesus' return will not be covert

Jesus teaches us not to be fooled... that when he returns it will not be covert.  His return will be unmistakable.
Matthew 24:22-28 ²² And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. ²³ Then if anyone says to you, 'Look! Here is the Messiah!' or 'There he is!'-- do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ Take note, I have told you beforehand. ²⁶ So, if they say to you, 'Look! He is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look! He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. ²⁷ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Most of us are so caught up in the activities of our lives that we aren't very concerned about the Messiah's return.  We are even less concerned about how we will identify him when he returns.  Yet, Jesus wants us to be watching and aware.  This awareness somehow changes our daily living to know that this life is not all there is... that Jesus' death and resurrection were not the end... that there is more to come.  And we are players in this cosmic event.   

One thing that my mind holds onto here is Jesus' words:   "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." It would seem "the elect" - those hidden in Christ - those who are Jesus' followers - will not be led astray.  Sounds like it will be a struggle, but Christ will not lose any that the Father has given him: "No one will snatch them out of my hand" John 10:28.   So not only do Jesus' followers need to be mindful of their place in history, but they can rest that their souls are safe in Jesus' hands.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he is returning, that it will not be covert, and that his follower's souls are protected?  How does that knowledge change how you live this day?  Will you take new risks?  Will you invite others into this safe, protected place?  Will you have a sense of protection despite extreme danger?

The End: Flee when you see the sign. Meanwhile Pray.

Jesus teaches that in the end, there will be a sign and then his followers should flee into the mountains.  Meanwhile, pray for good weather.

Okay.  This is weird stuff.  In most of Matthew, Jesus teaches his followers about living a radical life in his community.  He gives practical instructions that we can apply to our every day lives.  But now his disciples have asked him to explain what is going to happen in the end times. From their question in verse 3 "what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" their expectations have been set that Jesus is going away (his death and resurrection), but he is coming back at the end of the age.   Jesus has just gotten done warning that his followers will suffer, some will be led astray, Pharisee-ism will increase, but to endure.  Now he tells them what the sign will be when the end has begun and what to do...

Matthew 24:15-21 ¹⁵ "So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), ¹⁶ then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; ¹⁷ the one on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; ¹⁸ the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. ¹⁹ Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! ²⁰ Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. ²¹ For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.

There is a sign that we should not ignore: "a desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place" or in other translations... "the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place" or "the abomination of the desolation ... standing in the holy place."  Jesus refers us to the prophet Daniel to understand what this means.  Yet, there is much disagreement among scholars over what it does mean: a powerful human figure?  armies? weapons? something demonic?  I can't pretend that I understand.  The prophet Daniel speaks in visions of creatures and happenings that I haven't been able to wrap my mind around.

But when we see it... we are to flee into the mountains... to a safe place... to avoid the worst suffering the world has ever known.

Weird stuff.  And meanwhile, we are supposed to pray for good weather and that it won't happen on the Sabbath?  I am pretty sure most of us have ignored Jesus pretty successfully on this matter.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that when we see the sign, we are to immediately flee to safety?  Are we praying for good weather and timing?  Or is this stuff so weird that it is better to just ignore that Jesus said it?    Can we follow a Messiah who points us to a prophet who sees creatures with many heads and eyes... who seems to have been a mad man?  Or do we heed Jesus' instruction, pray, and watch for the sign?

The End: Endure

Jesus teaches that, in the end, those who endure will not only be saved, but they will be busy meanwhile.  Enduring is not hiding out until the hardship passes... there's work to do...

Matthew 24:9-14 ⁹ "Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. ¹⁰ Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ¹² And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.

Enduring matters.  Not only will those enduring be saved, but they will be doing purposeful work meanwhile: proclaiming the news of the kingdom out of a warm heart full of love.  By definition, those who endure will have proclaimed the gospel despite torture, betrayal, hate, - even after watching others die and "the church" move away from following Christ.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that enduring matters?  Is the church teaching Jesus' followers to not only proclaim the kingdom (do we even know what the kingdom is?), but to endure despite extreme hardships by living out of a heart of love? 

The End: Pharisee-ism increases

Jesus predicts Pharisee-ism will increase as the end approaches...

Matthew 24:12 And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.

Lawlessness will increase. In Chapter 23 of Matthew's gospel, Jesus has just called the Pharisees, who had more laws and followed them more precisely than any other people in history, "lawless". They were following the law with their actions, but their hearts were not in relationship with God.  The result is that their love (their hearts) have grown cold replacing a relationship with God with a relationship with the law.  Instead of submitting their lives to God, they tried to control God by following God's law (they thought their law keeping would force God to bless them).

BUT Jesus called the Pharisees "lawless."  Strict laws - and strict enforcement - is not the answer to humanity's problems. It only makes "love grow cold."  Pharisee-ism is true lawlessness.  Instead, it is our hearts - a relationship with us that transforms our hearts - that God wants.  Obedience is not an issue when our hearts have been transformed by God.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that Pharisee-ism will increase?  What is going on in the Christian community today?  Are we pointing people toward a relationship with Christ or are we just like the Pharisees pointing people to the right rules and right theology and maybe even the right political party to follow?

The End: His followers will suffer

Jesus warns what will happen to his followers as the end approaches.  Is this what we have signed up for?

Matthew 24:9-10 ⁹ "Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. ¹⁰ Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. 

Many people sign up to follow Jesus because they think it has benefits... Jesus lists some here:

• You will be hated (by everyone!) because of Jesus
• You will be tortured and put to death
• Those you think are part of my community (your supporters and friends) will fall away, betray you, and hate you.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that being his follower is costly?

The End: Don't be led astray

Jesus warns us not to be led astray.

The disciples want to know when Jesus' prediction of the destruction of the temple will take place...

Matthew 24:3-8 ³ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" ⁴ Jesus answered them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. ⁵ For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah!' and they will lead many astray. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: ⁸ all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs....

Jesus names several possible ways for us to be led astray: 

• By allegiance to a false Messiah
• By thinking wars, rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes signify the end
• By becoming alarmed instead of knowing "this must take place"

Do we ignore Jesus' warning not to be led astray?  What are we being led astray by?

Rejecting Jesus destroys the community and place of worship

Jesus teaches the temple will be destroyed... he will be destroyed...

In Chapter 23, the destruction of the nation and the temple, which was the worldwide center of Jewish worship and pride, will be a result of not just the murder of the prophets, but of Christ's murder. 

Matthew 24:1-2 As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. ² Then he asked them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."

The fate of the nation and the temple hinge upon what they do with the message delivered by the prophets and with Christ himself. If they accept it, they will take part in God's mission on earth. But they have already killed the prophets.  Now all that is left is to kill the son of God.  Jesus not only predicts his own death here, but he also (once again) predicts the fate of those who reject the message of the prophets and who reject Jesus.

Matthew 21:33-46 ³³ "Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. ³⁴ When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. ³⁵ But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶ Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. ³⁷ Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' ³⁸ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' ³⁹ So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ⁴⁰ Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" ⁴¹ They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time." ⁴² Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'? ⁴³ Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. ⁴⁴ The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls." ⁴⁵ When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. ⁴⁶ They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

Their fate is in the process of being sealed.  Jesus will be murdered shortly.  Their place of worship and their community will be destroyed.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that the community and place of worship of those who rejected the message of the prophets and who rejected Jesus himself, will be destroyed?  What God has given them, will be taken away and given to a community of people who will take part in God's mission.

Although Jesus was speaking specifically to the 1st century situation, his message applies to the church today.  Does the church embrace the message of the prophets? Does it follow Jesus?  Does it embrace the teachings of Jesus?  Or have we achieved the same religiousity of the 1st century Pharisees following the right rules, the right list of good works, and the right theology, but rejecting Jesus - recreating him and his teachings in our own images?

Be Willing.

Jesus teaches that those who ignore and silence the prophets will be left desolate.  And yet, he also teaches that there is hope...

Matthew 23: 37-39 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you, desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"


The entire community will certainly pay for what has been done to the prophets - the entire community will be left desolate. But in the midst of Jesus' terrible prediction, we see a beautiful picture of our creator. He desires to bring us together like a mother hen gathers her babies under her wings. All that is required of us is a willingness to let him. Followers of Jesus have the desire for Jesus to gather us under his wings.

Jesus leaves them (and us) with this hope... we can cry out, "Blessed is the one (Jesus) who comes in the name of the Lord" and begin to follow him.

Do we ignore Jesus teaching to be willing?

Woe #7: Don't silence the prophets sent to you

Jesus warns that the religious leaders of the day are no different from their ancestors who murdered the prophets sent to teach them.  In just a few days, these religious leaders will have Christ murdered.  Yet, they operate thinking that they are different from their mothers and fathers.  But in reality, they are the same as their parents.  What prophets do our churches silence today instead of listening to them?

Matthew 23:29-39²⁹ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, ³⁰ and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' ³¹ Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. ³³ You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? ³⁴ Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, ³⁵ so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. ³⁶ Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.

Do we ignore Jesus' warning to listen to the prophets he has sent to us? 

Woe #6: Don't just look beautiful

Jesus warns against looking good, but being dead and filthy.

Matthew 23:27-28 ²⁷ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. ²⁸ So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

These religious people were great at being religious.  They studied and memorized scripture.  They followed their religious rules without fail.  They evangelized and did good deeds.  They appeared to be beautiful monuments - like tombs cleaned up and whitewashed before the Passover Celebration, but inside they were dead and source of disease to others.

Even with all their rule following, Jesus calls them "lawless."

Do we ignore Jesus' warning not to put on a good appearance when inside we are dead and disease ridden?

If following Jesus is not about following all the trappings of religion - then what is it about? Jesus describes it here as having clean hearts. But how are our hearts transformed from death and filth to beauty?  The Pharisees were "good" people - I can guarantee we probably aren't as "good".  And all their trying added up to nothing but death and filth.  I'd be getting ahead of the gospel, but Jesus has a plan for transforming our hearts...

Woe #5: The heart is what matters.

Jesus teaches that it isn't our outsides (what rules we keep - what theology we believe - what good works we do) that make us clean (right with God).  It is what is inside of us - our hearts - that must be cleaned before any of the rest matters.

Matthew 23:25-26 ²⁵ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.
I believe this is what Christians struggle with most.  It looks different in every culture and every decade, but it is the same problem when you boil it all down.  Most claiming to be followers of Christ are very much like the Pharisees - preoccupied with religion and how it can be used to control God.  They believed that if they followed the right rules, did the right good deeds, believed the right theology, then God would be forced to bless them. And they were better at religion than any other people have ever been.  But it wasn't good enough.  Jesus says that their hearts were greedy and self-indulgent.  This is pretty much the state of many Christian lives today.  There's a huge interest in getting a ticket to heaven, but not many are very concerned with letting go of greed and self-indulgence so that we can follow Jesus.  In fact, most would like to know the minimum required so they can get on with living their lives their own way. We miss that following Jesus is about giving up ourselves and being a servant.

It is so easy to come up with a list of rules of rules to follow, a stated theology to force everyone to agree with, and even a list of good deeds to do.  But Jesus says none of these things matter if our hearts aren't clean. 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that it is what is in our hearts that matter - not so much all the religious stuff?  And what's your plan for cleaning your heart?  I'd be getting ahead of the gospel... but Jesus has a plan.  And he is leading his followers to the place where they will be made clean...

Woe #4: Prioritize things that matter most

Jesus warns his follower's to discern what is important (practicing justice, mercy, and faithfulness) over what is not as important (tithing insignificant items). 

Matthew 23:23-24 ²³ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. ²⁴ You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

The point of tithing mint, dill, and cummin was to provide the priests and the poor with the abundance of God.  While it is good for the priests and the poor to have mint, dill, and cummin (herbs used for flavoring and medicine), they aren't absolutely essential to their well being.  Even their medicinal value was for comfort not life saving measures.  The point is that Jesus doesn't want the Pharisees to feel good about tithing these insignificant things while failing to live lives that seek justice, mercy, and faith (better translated faithfulness).

"How is God calling me to practice justice*, mercy, and faithfulness in my life today?" 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to prioritize things that matter most:  Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness?

* One interesting thing about justice... it has many meanings: being fair, addressing wrongs that have been committed, living in a way that does not take advantage of others,  rescuing those who are disadvantaged, etc.  It is closely tied to living in right relationships.  Proverbs 2 says that it is only through our knowledge of God's character that we can know how to live justly in every situation.  It says we have to actively seek God in order to understand justice. 

Woe #3: Don't make false promises

Jesus teaches us that our words - especially promises and commitments - are to always be trustworthy.

Matthew 23:16-22 ¹⁶ "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.' ¹⁷ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? ¹⁸ And you say, 'Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.' ¹⁹ How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? ²⁰ So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; ²¹ and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; ²² and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.

The Jewish leaders had come up with a complex scheme of which promises were binding and which were not. This was convenient if you didn't really want to make a promise.  You'd just swear on something that wasn't binding and then when you didn't keep your promise, no harm done!  But this wasn't to be the way Jesus' followers lived...

Matthew 5:33-37 ³³ "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' ³⁴ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Jesus' followers were to have no need to take special oaths, because they always kept their word.  Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his follower's words are always trustworthy?

Woe #2: Rule following - not Christ following - creates Children of Hell

Jesus warns the religious people of his day about preaching the wrong message.

Matthew 23:15 ¹⁵ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
The scribes and Pharisees that Jesus was talking to were dedicated, hardworking evangelists.  But what were they evangelizing?  What was their message?  Pharisee-ism was a message of rule following - not Christ following.  And those who substitute a list of rules for a relationship with Christ, well,  Jesus calls them children of hell.  And he says their converts are even more so.

Again, this message applies as much to those claiming to be the church today as it did to the religious people then.  What rules do we insist must be followed before we can share Jesus' message?  Do we preach a list of rules (or even a list of good works) instead of Jesus' message?

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that preaching "rule following" instead of "Christ following" creates children of hell?