John 19:1-16 The State Listens

John 19:1-16 NIV
He tried but he just couldn't do it. The religious leaders kept insisting that the state do something about this Jesus who had broken their religious law. Yet, their accusation against him is that he opposes Caesar by claiming to be king. Pilate is in a bind. If he frees him; he goes against Caesar himself as the religious leaders claim this man claims he is greater than Caesar. Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus; yet, he cannot allow the crowds to make him (Pilate) look bad in the eyes of Caesar, either. That could be major trouble for him with Rome. He wants no trouble with Rome. It is apparent that the religious leaders want this man to disappear from the face of the earth and Pilate must and will do their bidding.

So, as hard as Pilate tries to reason with the crowd; he ends up handing Jesus over to be crucified. There are times when we may feel thoroughly tired of reasoning with people, as well. Not everyone will bow before the King of Kings (at least not, yet). Many will worship false gods, things and/or people of the secular world. There are many who wish this Jesus and his followers would just go away so that they might not be reminded of their sin. They do not wish to be reminded that Jesus died to take away the sins of the world; their sins because they'd rather think that they have not sinned. They will make many loud pleas to the state to take away this reminder from their sight. In some cases the state has surely listened.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 18:28-40 Religion and Politics Crucify Jesus

John 18:28-40 NIV
Religion and politics don't go very well together. The Jewish leaders used politics to their advantage in order to rid themselves of Jesus.

On the one hand, they would not enter the palace of the governor as the praetorium had been and was still a place of contention between the Romans and the Jews. It was considered an unclean place and if the Jewish leaders had entered it they would not have been able to participate in the Passover Meal, due to being unclean. So the governor; Pilate comes out to them.

The Jewish leaders have no charge to bring against Jesus. Instead they respond arrogantly to the governor when asked what the charge was. "If he were not a criminal we would not have handed him over to you." That sounds to me as if there is a bit of hostility on the part of the Jewish leaders toward Rome. In effect, what difference whether they are inside or outside of the palace? Their contentious attitudes have made the whole area, themselves included, unclean.

The Jewish leaders manipulate and intimidate Pilate into having Jesus executed. They are willing to have a convicted murderer released in order get rid of the truth that Jesus has been busy proclaiming. They want Jesus gone and they will use even the tradition of the Passover as an excuse to get rid of him.

Yes, certainly, it is every Christian's right and responsibility to become politically engaged. We must, at times, speak out. We must speak the truth. But, it is very dangerous for a church to start mixing religion and politics. When the state becomes involved in your faith; you might just forget who your true God is and what His will is for all people. It is very dangerous, for everyone, when church leaders manipulate people into supporting specific political agendas or politicians. All I have to do is take a walk back in history to have that affirmed. Take a look at the world news of today; at the unrest (the killings and massacres) of countries where political parties are religious parties. Take a look back to Nazi Germany where even the churches supported Hitler. And... don't forget the unrest of the even earlier church when church and state were one. Priests and Popes were disposed at the whim of the state in order to be replaced by someone who was more in line with the state's leaders political and religious views. Our reading today brings us to the trial of Jesus at which we find the religious leaders manipulating and intimidating the Roman Governor, Pilate, into crucifying an innocent man.   

Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world. All who believe in him are a part of that kingdom; even though, we live in this world. We live in both and must be responsible citizens of both. But, let us not confuse the two. A final thought:  Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's and don't be playing one against the other. That, my friends, has been the source of many wars. Religion and politics don't go very well together. Remember, the Jewish leaders used politics to their advantage in order to rid themselves of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 23:1-25 Bowing to the Crowds or Standing Up for Jesus

Luke 23:1-25 NIV
Seems like just about everyone wanted Jesus dead. Well, probably not everyone; but, our reading does say the whole assembly. Everyone wanted him dead, except for Pilate. He wasn't real thrilled with executing an innocent man. He tried to hand him over to Herod and get Herod to do the deed. That didn't work. Pilate gave the people the choice of executing Jesus or the murdered Barabbas. The people chose to let Barabbas free and have Jesus crucified. Pilate didn't want a riot on his hands so he bowed to the assembly's desires and ordered the execution of an innocent man.

How often do we go along with the crowd simply because we don't want to take a stand alone? Will you stand up for Jesus or will you bow down to the desires of humankind?


God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 15:42-47 Conflict of Interest

Mark 15:42-47 NIV
There was a council member who abstained during the vote of the council of a small congregation. It was concerning the expenditure of about $100.00 for a non-essential item in the church. The budget was very small. The Pastor voted no as a similar item could be purchased for about $10.00 or less, citing poor stewardship. The rest of the council voted for the expenditure. But, this is not about stewardship. It is about why one council member would abstain. It was not a matter of conflict of interest for the council member to vote. Well, I guess there was a conflict of interest. He would not make a decision as a council member in order to stay on the good side of everyone. He simply did not want to offend the Pastor or the rest of the Council by voting against either one so he chose to do nothing. He just wanted to be a nice Lutheran and not offend anyone.

It was the hierarchy in the church that wanted Jesus out of their way. Yet, it was one council member who was willing to put his own life on the line and stand up for Jesus. Jesus was dead, so how was he going to know if Joseph of Arimathea stood by him? But, Joseph had hope in the Kingdom and it was important to Joseph that Jesus have a proper burial. He went to Pilate, knowing full well that the Council would find out, and asked for Jesus' body so that he could give Jesus' body a proper burial. Joseph was not afraid to do what he felt was right. Neither fear of Pilate or the other council members could keep him from doing what he felt he should and must do.

May God help us to do the right thing and not be afraid of what others will think of us or do to us when we stand up for Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 15:1-32 The Horror Of It

Mark 15:1-32 NIV
Words cannot adequately describe the horror of how the world turned against God the Son the day that Christ was crucified.

He had been deserted by his friends; the church turned against him; the people wanted him crucified; the soldiers and even the criminals hanging with him mocked him. "The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews." (vs 26)

What do you want done with this one whom you call your king, Pilate had asked. Crucify him, the people replied. Indeed he was; he is, a King. He is our King. What would we do with this one we call our King? Often, we, as they did the day of his crucifixion, continue to turn our backs on him. There are days when it is as though we would rather have him hanging on a cross than interfering in our worldly lives. Our king, our gods, are of this world and Jesus is just in the way. Crucify him! Oh, I know you probably don't think in those terms. But, how often do we act as though he is not our King. After all, aren't we suppose to honor our King in all that we say and think and do?

Crucify Him, the people shouted. What would we say (what do we say) when he calls us to follow Him today? Crucify him? Words cannot adequately describe the horror of how the world (even His followers) have turned against God the Son; the Son of God, this day. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 27:58-66 - Disciples Absent From The Funeral

I have officiated at hundreds of funerals and even more graveside committals. Only a handful of them have had fewer people in attendance than at the burial of Jesus. That would be less than three. Joseph of Arimathea, a follower of Jesus; and the two Marys seem to be the only ones present. Where were the chosen twelve? We know from scripture that Judas committed suicide, so we're down to eleven and what about the hoards that had been following him around in order to be healed? This was a most unusual burial for one who had such a following while he was alive. Where were all these friends and followers?

The Sabbath was fast approaching. In just a few hours the law required no funerals, not even much movement on the part of the Jews. Maybe, the disciples were just trying to follow the Sabbath laws or maybe they had all run in fear for their own lives. As Peter had at the trial, maybe they were all so worried about their own lives, burying their friend; their teacher, was the least of their concerns. But, here we have a man who was willing to put himself out there for Jesus. Joseph was not afraid to have his name connected with the Name of Jesus. He approached Pilate, who had condemned Jesus in the first place, and asks for the body for burial. Then he takes, out of his own holdings, a clean linen cloth and with his own hands buries Jesus on his own property; in his own tomb.

Alone, with the women, Joseph is willing to align himself with Jesus, even after Jesus has been declared an outlaw by the church and state; even after he has been executed for perceived crimes.

May God grant that we never be ashamed or in fear for our lives because we dare to be associated with or praise the name of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 27:1-26 - Cursing The Children

So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. (Matt 27:24-26 NRSV)

“His blood be on us and on our children!”  These are some of the hardest words I ever speak aloud. It brings tears to my eyes every time I speak them. Pilate tried to get around crucifying Jesus; but, the people were adamant. They wanted Jesus dead and would riot if he were not found guilty. They were willing to accept the guilt of killing an innocent man. They were willing to place the guilt not only on their own heads, but on the heads of their children, their own children who played no part in this murder. Who would do that? Who would curse and condemn their children like that? The thought of such a crowd; not only willing to kill an innocent man; but, to curse their children in such a manner tears at my heart. They do not have a clue that their words are a curse to the very children that Jesus is willing to die for - their children. This man, whom their children probably do not know, will die for them; while the parents curse their children. Absolutely amazing!

His blood is on us and on our children. He died for us. God has turned this curse into a blessing. It is by his blood that our sins our washed away. Let us not curse our children, any longer; but, help them to understand the great love God has for us through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J