David Bahn – Reflections

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴ and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸ Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹ And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰ and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²² Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, ²³ and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.  ²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” ²⁵ And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹ but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³² They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” ³³ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴ saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

It proved to be a major turning point in my life, even though the fullness of the turn didn’t come until several months later. I was at the 1982 Colorado District LCMS Convention. I had been identified by the Conservative Laymen of Colorado as the candidate of choice for the District Board of Directors. Qualifications aside (I had only four years of experience as a pastor), I was seen as a warrior for the cause of true conservative ideals. For reasons I won’t go into now, every election at that convention went the “wrong way.” The “Right” men were not elected. The one exception was a man who was listed on the conservative list and the list put out by the other side!

I went around the campus of University of Colorado, Boulder singing, Built on the Rock the church doth stand, even when steeples are falling. I was convinced that steeples were falling.

Some months later I attended a Church Growth conference. Rev. Dr. Kent Hunter spoke about the urgency of the Great Commission. As he spoke, God’s word took root in my heart. That’s a better mission, I thought. Making disciples of Jesus, and removing obstacles to people coming to church and having an outward focus for ministry became my new mission focus. I didn’t have to abandon my strong biblical roots, my Lutheran theological foundations, or my conservative leanings. I did have to abandon a false mission of saving the Synod from the Liberals. I saw new opportunities and gained new energy for God’s work.

The encounter of Jesus with these disciples on the road to Emmaus was an even greater turning-point for them. They didn’t have to unlearn only a Jewish mindset. They had to abandon a belief that all had been lost. They had to let go of the idea that Jesus was dead: end of story. They had to rethink what the Old Testament (the only Bible they had) actually meant, and how it was to be interpreted.

That seemed to have happened in the moments of Jesus’ chiding and teaching. He chides them: “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe.” Then “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” 

Their minds were opened. Their horizons were expanded. They had a totally new perspective on life and death itself.

Sometimes we may need a bump in the road to gain a new perspective. The pathway there is made possible by Jesus’ resurrection. And we can gain that new understanding whenever we remember that the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive!

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴ and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸ Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹ And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰ and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²² Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, ²³ and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.  ²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” ²⁵ And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹ but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³² They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” ³³ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴ saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

My world for the past 10 years or so has been a sea of faces and a tapestry of names – all of which only occasionally come together in a timely manner. To make matters worse, there are some faces I should be able to attach names to, and others I’m not certain whether or not I should know. I will often ask, “Have we met?” Sometimes I fake it, smiling and greeting them warmly. But it’s not the way I’d like to live. I’d like to know who I know and what are their names.

My name and face challenge is partly a matter of age and distance from St. John since I retired 4 years ago. And in my defence I interface with many different people in various congregations these days in my work for the Texas District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. But once in a while the name, face and context align, and it’s a beautiful thing.

It’s not a matter of time and distance or aging that gets in the way of these disciples on their way to Emmaus. Spiritual blindness and slowness of heart prevented them from recognizing Jesus. The spiritual blindness was at least somewhat understandable. They had just experienced the most dramatic disappointment of their lives. Jesus had been taken from them, subjected to horrific treatment and hung on a cross. They had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. But now all is lost. They were blinded to Jesus’ presence by disappointment and death. 

Add to that their slowness of heart. Jesus had told them that he would suffer and die, then rise again. He had made it clear that this was going to happen. They were slow to believe. So they did not recognize Jesus for who he is. That means not only that he was alive and with them. They did not recognize that he is Lord and Savior, the Son of God.

Next time you have difficulty remembering someone’s name, rejoice that Jesus knows your name, he has your name written in the book of life. And keep your eyes open for his presence among his people as he has promised – and especially in the breaking of the bread of the Lord’s Supper. He is our loving and living Lord and Savior.

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” ⁴¹ And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” ⁴³ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴ And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. ⁴⁵ And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, ⁴⁶ and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” ⁴⁹ And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹ But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? ⁵³ When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

⁵⁴ Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. ⁵⁵ And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. ⁵⁶ Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” ⁵⁷ But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” ⁵⁸ And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” ⁵⁹ And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” ⁶⁰ But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” ⁶² And he went out and wept bitterly.

⁶³ Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. ⁶⁴ They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” ⁶⁵ And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.

⁶⁶ When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, ⁶⁷ “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, ⁶⁸ and if I ask you, you will not answer. ⁶⁹ But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” ⁷⁰ So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” ⁷¹ Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

^23:1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. ² And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” ³ And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” ⁴ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” ⁵ But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

⁶ When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. ⁷ And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. ⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. ⁹ So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. ¹² And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

¹³ Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. ¹⁶ I will therefore punish and release him.”

¹⁸ But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— ¹⁹ a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. ²⁰ Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, ²¹ but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” ²² A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” ²³ But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. ²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

²⁶ And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. ²⁸ But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ ³¹ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

³² Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. ³³ And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine ³⁷ and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

⁴⁴ It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, ⁴⁵ while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. ⁴⁷ Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” ⁴⁸ And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. ⁴⁹ And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

⁵⁰ Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, ⁵¹ who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. ⁵² This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁵³ Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. ⁵⁴ It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. ⁵⁵ The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. ⁵⁶ Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

THREE MEN. THREE CROSSES. ONE HILL.

ONE MAN CURSED. ONE MAN PRAYED. ONE MAN PROMISED.

ONE DIED CONDEMNED. ONE DIED FORGIVEN. ONE DIED INNOCENT.

ONE DIED IN SIN. ONE DIED TO SIN. ONE DIED FOR SIN.

ONE WAS HELD BY DEATH. ONE WAS RELEASED BY DEATH. ONE CONQUERED DEATH.

ONE LOST LIFE. ONE GAINED LIFE. ONE WAS LIFE.

– Unattributed Good Friday Meditation

On that Friday long ago…

One man confessed: “Certainly this man was innocent!”

Some beat their breasts in agonizing shame.

A few watched, and waited, and then rested on the Sabbath.

And Jesus’ body rested in a borrowed tomb.

And when the hour came, Jesus reclined at table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵ And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. ¹⁸ For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. ²¹ But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²² For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” ²³ And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. ²⁵ And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. ²⁶ But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. ²⁷ For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

²⁸ “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, ²⁹ and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, ³⁰ that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

We were at a national leadership conference in Chicago many years ago with our church staff. The strong Christian teaching, leadership insights, and bonding experience for church our staff was remarkable. The day before it ended we were told there would be communion as part of the closing worship. We were in a bind because the experience had been so good, yet we were not in a Lutheran church. That night we prayed that God would make it clear to us as to how we would respond to the opportunity the next day. It was immediately clear the next day when the leader said, as he held up a communion wafer, “We all know what this is. This is a representation of Christ’s body.” We knew better. We sadly refrained from participating.

On a mission trip to China our Lutheran missionary guide and friend took us to one of the Three Self churches in Kunming, a city in the Yunnan province. He told us about the pastor and his faithfulness to God’s word. When time came for communion, it was clear that we were with faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. Our guide told us the pastor was using the true words of Jesus in the celebration. We were deeply honored to have joined in receiving the body and blood of Jesus there.

When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper he didn’t say, “This represents my body.” He said, “This is my body.” Likewise the wine, “This is the new covenant in my blood.” Is means is. But let’s look even closer, Jesus says, “This is my body.” I think he is pointing out the fact that for 1400 years as the Jewish people celebrated Passover, they were celebrating Jesus, the Christ. He is the Lamb of God. He is the fulfillment of the Passover.

There are many other things going on that Luke records here. Arguments about who is the greatest. A sad revelation of coming betrayal. A coming glorious meal in the life of the world to come. But let’s focus now on this precious meal for the soul.

As we celebrate Holy Communion we’re not just doing a thing that Jesus told us to do. We’re participating in the celebration of all that God was and is doing through his Son, Jesus of Nazareth. We do well to believe Jesus’ words. We do better by not trying to figure out how to explain his words, or worse, explain them away. We do best when we “do this in remembrance of” all that Jesus has done, is doing, and will ultimately accomplish for us in the life of the world to come.

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. ² And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

³ Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. ⁴ He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. ⁵ And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. ⁶ So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

⁷ Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. ⁸ So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” ⁹ They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” ¹⁰ He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters ¹¹ and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ¹² And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” ¹³ And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

I’ve not leaned too heavily on the political overtones of the Passover, Jesus’ triumphant entry, and the Messianic hopes of the Jews of Jesus’ day. I’ve never denied it. But I’ve always hoped that people realized their hopes for an earthly king were secondary to their hope for God’s eternal redemption. I should have known better. I should have realized that people want the answers to their prayers on their schedule, according to their reckoning of good and evil, and in ways that make life better here and now. I don’t want to think that people would trade an eternity of glorious joy for a fleeting earthly favor.

But as I read this passage, it becomes so clear to me that the calculations of the Jewish leaders (!) were all about earthly and political concerns. They were not seeking to guide people toward a fuller encounter with God. They were seeking to keep the status quo, save their image, and their hide. They feared the people. Not God. Not good.

To top it off, they would use one of Jesus’ own to capture and arrest him. In the dark. Away from the crowds. With a contingent of soldiers. Political calculations all around.

On the other hand – even as these political calculations were being made Jesus was preparing his disciples for what lay ahead. He would proceed with the Passover celebration, eagerly desiring to eat that meal with them before he died. He sent his disciples to make the necessary preparations.

It’s not clear in the Bible how Jesus knew there would be a man carrying a jar of water to meet the disciples. It’s not revealed how the owner of the house knew to get things ready for them. The Chosen has this accomplished by a young boy, Mark, having a vision and persuading his father to let him prepare the room. His father sends him to fetch water to wash away some graffiti on his wall. It all comes together when the disciples meet the young man and his vision is confirmed, and his father is amazed. They are welcomed into the large upper room.

In whatever manner the events  of Holy Week unfolded, the fact remains that Jesus and his disciples were focusing on the deep spiritual meaning of the Passover while the Jewish leaders were counting votes. Jesus knew it was going to unfold toward his suffering and death. The Passover would soon be fulfilled for all time. That’s not a fleeting political calculation. That’s an eternal reality.

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, ² and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. ³ And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. ⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

⁵ And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, ⁶ “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” ⁷ And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” ⁸ And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. ⁹ And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. ¹² But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³ This will be your opportunity to bear witness. ¹⁴ Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. ¹⁷ You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By your endurance you will gain your lives.

²⁰ “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. ²¹ Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, ²² for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ²³ Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. ²⁴ They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

²⁵ “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶ people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

²⁹ And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰ As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. ³¹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

³⁴ “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

³⁷ And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. ³⁸ And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

That’s a faithful rendering. 

He’s a faithful employee.

My dog is faithfully waiting for me each day when I come home.

She has been such a faithful witness to Jesus’ love.

Faithfulness is manifest in at least 7 ways – this according to a paper by Robert Scuderi, LCMS theologian and missiologist. Things like trust, adherence to the truth, boldness, living a life of sacrificial love, and engaged in the world.

In this chapter of Luke we see at least five facets of faithfulness:

• Generosity in the midst of poverty
• Courage in the face of calamity
• Endurance in the face of persecution
• Adherence to Jesus’ word amidst the tumult of the times
• Prayer in anticipation of the Final Day of judgment and redemption

We may be more prone to faithfulness in one situation than another. For some, calamity does not dispel their faith. For others Jesus’ words are precious at all times. Still others may embrace poverty with generosity.

All of these facets of faith flow from a deep conviction of Jesus’ goodness, God’s faithfulness (which never wavers), the conviction of the Holy Spirit that we are safe and well in him. We do not best embrace faithfulness by effort or strength. We best embrace it in focusing on God, not ourselves.

This week is a great week to focus on God. We best not worry about a “how to” series of sermons and studies – all these about being happier and more successful. Better we listen to the accounts of Jesus’ last days on earth, and be reminded of God’s unwavering faithfulness, grace, goodness, and love. Those are some of the most beautiful facets of God’s faithfulness.

One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up ² and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” ³ He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, ⁴ was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” ⁵ And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ ⁶ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” ⁷ So they answered that they did not know where it came from. ⁸ And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

⁹ And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. ¹⁰ When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. ¹² And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. ¹³ Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ ¹⁴ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ ¹⁵ And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶ He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” ¹⁷ But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?

¹⁸ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

¹⁹ The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. ²⁰ So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. ²¹ So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. ²² Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” ²³ But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, ²⁴ “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” ²⁵ He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” ²⁶ And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

²⁷ There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, ²⁸ and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁹ Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. ³⁰ And the second ³¹ and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. ³² Afterward the woman also died. ³³ In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

³⁴ And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, ³⁵ but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, ³⁶ for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. ³⁷ But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. ³⁸ Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” ³⁹ Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” ⁴⁰ For they no longer dared to ask him any question.

⁴¹ But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? ⁴² For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
⁴³ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

⁴⁴ David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”

⁴⁵ And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, ⁴⁶ “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, ⁴⁷ who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Twice in this chapter Jesus quotes from the Psalms:

Psalm 118:22

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?

This also shows up in Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:7.

Psalm 110:1

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
⁴³ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

This is quoted also in Acts 2:34-Acts 2:35, Hebrews 1:13, 1 Corinthians 15:25, and Hebrews 10:13).

The fact that Jesus quotes these psalms is reason enough to note them well. This is underscored by the New Testament writers who recognize their importance. Yet at this pivotal moment of his life and ministry, Jesus draws attention to two essential truths.

Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders. He is not considered worthy to be the cornerstone of the Jewish leaders’ lives. They will put him aside. Worse yet, we know they will kill him. But their rejection of Jesus does not nullify his identity as the Son of God (we’ll look at that with the second quote). He already is the chief cornerstone. And even though they reject him, he will be seen as such. Jesus will be set aside by men, but not rejected by God.

That’s because Jesus is God’s Son, the Lord. There will come a day of reckoning when the leaders will acknowledge under duress that Jesus is Lord. Jesus quotes Psalm 110 to confound the Jewish leaders who thought they had everything figured out. How’s that working for you, people? Do you really have God all figured out? Go figure again. Jesus is the Son of God. He will have the last word.

These two Bible passages show that Jesus is God and man. Lord and Servant. But he will not be dismissed. He is the chief of the corner, and we who build our lives on him will not be put to shame.

And when Jesus had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹ When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰ saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” ³² So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. ³³ And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ³⁴ And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” ³⁵ And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. ³⁶ And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. ³⁷ As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, ³⁸ saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” ³⁹ And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” ⁴⁰ He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

I was struck as I read “You shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” What does the Lord have need of? And why does he need it?

Jesus needed the donkey in order to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. (I’m jumping ahead with this blog post because we will have this text on Sunday at St. John.) He needed it because this would fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Matthew directly quotes this passage in his account of the Palm Sunday parade. Even though Luke does not quote the passage, he recounts the events that directly fulfill the prophecy. Jesus needed the colt in order that he could fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah.

He needed to fulfill that prophecy – along with many others – because he is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament’s prophecies and promises of a coming Savior – the Messiah.

And he needed to do that because God is intent upon redeeming a lost world, reconciling the world to himself, rescuing lost sinners, and uniting all things in heaven and on earth under Christ Jesus who is Lord of all.

On the one hand God doesn’t need anything from us. Paul says as much in his sermon on Mars Hill: “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24-25).

On the other hand God uses people to advance the cause of his reign and rule in the hearts of people, by grace, through faith. What a privilege it would be to provide even a manger for Jesus to be laid in. What a joy to know that you could give a drink of water to Jesus on a hot day at noon. How thankful you would be if Jesus used your gift of pure nard to tell of his coming death and said that your action would be told for generations to come. What would it be like to have offered your upper room for Jesus’ last Supper with his disciples. What an honor to provide even your tomb on loan for Jesus’ lifeless body – if only for three days.

Hosanna! Blessed is the King who has come in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Are we ready to offer whatever Jesus needs to honor him?