From the Pastor’s Study

By Rev. Jodie Jackson, Sr.

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Salisbury

ON THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM AND DEATH

We find ourselves this Wednesday squarely between Palm and Resurrection Sundays; Jesus in this period is very active in ministry and message. The clouds are gathering, the conspiracy to silence Him is firming up, and the stage is being set to destroy and discredit this irreverent and blasphemous meddler with the beloved religious customs. He is already on “Death Row,” and soon He will be suspended between heaven and earth on an old rugged cross. All this is occurring with His knowledge, in keeping with the prophetic utterances of ages past.

Digress with me to the days immediately prior to Palm Sunday, when Jesus determines within Himself that the time has come for His self-sacrifice. In Luke 9:51, KJV: “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.” I like that: “he steadfastly set his face.” He called His disciples together and informed them that this was “it”, although they failed to grasp the significance of His statements. They saw the determination that was stamped upon His face and heard it in His voice. He very calmly then began the journey to Jerusalem, knowing that His final earthly days were winding down.

We know (in our heads) that we shall some day die, but (in our hearts) we live in a kind of death-denying attitude. Usually “it’s out there sometime” but not for now. But for Jesus, He knew He was en route to a cruel, vicious, and inhumane tortured death. Yet, He “steadfastly” moved forward. I sense an urgency, an urgency based not on “let’s hurry up and get this thing over with” but on an eagerness to participate in God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Understandably, His followers did not share that urgency, nor did some He would encounter on His way to the cross.

Jesus sent messengers to a Samaritan village to provide lodging for Him. There He met outright opposition, because, “His face was as though He would go to Jerusalem”. They slammed the doors shut on Him, prompting an indignant response from the disciples. Jesus calmly rebuked them and went elsewhere for lodging.

As His entourage moved along, a man bravely declared: “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go!” Jesus cut through this eager volunteer’s emotional enlistment by saying in effect, “You don’t really understand the true cost of discipleship. I sleep not between satin sheets but out in the open.” Evidently the volunteer realized he had not counted the cost, and withdrew his application.

Jesus then selected a prospective disciple, saying “You, follow me!” This man countered with a plea to be excused, saying his father had died and must be buried. Jesus response was in effect “You really don’t have the commitment you will need; I can’t use you with that lack.”

Another volunteered, on his own terms: “Let me first go home and say good-bye.”

Jesus responded by saying “I can’t use you, since you will be forever looking back and wishing you were home again.”

Why do you follow Jesus? Do you think it would be to your advantage in some sinister and underlying manner? Was your confession of faith in Him with crossed fingers, or on a conditional trial basis, or is it now a nuisance and an inconvenience as you perhaps rue the day you professed faith in Him. Jesus knew then, as He knows now, the hearts, thoughts, and intents of every person with whom He comes in contact.

Harsh as Jesus’ dealings with these three may appear, they reveal the urgency of His mission. He is “looking for a few good men”. Not that He had found the cream of the crop in the twelve disciples, for one would betray Him and the others would desert or deny Him. But He knew that the faithful eleven would literally lay down their lives for the privilege of following Jesus and for His cause.

May our hearts rise to say: “Lord, we are able to drink of Your cup.” Amen.