David Bahn – Reflections

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?

As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. ¹² He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. ¹³ Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ ¹⁴ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ ¹⁵ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. ¹⁶ The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ ¹⁷ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ ¹⁸ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ ¹⁹ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ ²⁰ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; ²¹ for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ ²² He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ²³ Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ ²⁴ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ ²⁵ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ²⁶ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ²⁷ But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

I’m not sure I like the end of this parable, “But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.” This is a hard saying. Retribution in such a harsh manner repulses me. But it is a stark warning. There are those enemies of God who will be slaughtered. God’s justice will be served. 

I suppose I don’t like it because I have not experienced the harsh and ugly treatment that God has. I’ve not given my Son only to have him crucified. I’ve not sent out emissaries only to have them rejected, dismissed, and killed. I’ve not had my people taken into captivity. I’ve not had my temple, the holy place of my promised presence, ransacked and destroyed. I’ve not had my faithful ones sawn in two, thrown to the lions, or skinned alive. (Sorry for the harsh language here, but I’m trying to get behind the harsh treatment of God’s enemies.)

How does Jesus fit into this picture? I note there are two groups of people who displease the owner of the vineyard in this parable. The owner is God. And those who receive the minas (a mina equals about 3 month’s wages) are God’s people – you and me. Some of us are more productive with the talents we’ve been given. Some are less. Some hide their talents altogether. Even though they are God’s people they think of him as severe, taking what he did not deposit, and reaping what he did not sow. I notice they are chided for their failure to produce and rebuked for their poor opinion of God. But they do not receive the same severe sentence as those who did not want to be ruled by God. I see a ray of light between them and the third steward. 

I cannot fail to draw a conclusion about this parable that relates to the secondary motivation for obedience and faithfulness. That’s fear. It’s not the primary motivation, but sometimes we need to haul ourselves up short rather than give in to temptation out of fear of God. Sometimes we need to use our talents for fear of being reprimanded if we do not.

Better always, we resist temptation and use our gifts faithfully because we love and trust in God. But this is a good reminder that we are to fear God as well. So we say, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” This is most certainly true!

He entered Jericho and was passing through. ² And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. ³ And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. ⁴ So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. ⁷ And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” ⁸ And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” ⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

If we think of the “little man complex” in his case, it could explain why he pursued a position that gave him authority and control, even if it made him unpopular. His actions—climbing a tree to see Jesus—could also reflect both his resourcefulness and his deep longing for something beyond status or wealth.

But what makes Zacchaeus’ story remarkable is that Jesus sees him differently—not as a man compensating for his height or social status, but as a lost soul in need of grace.

And what a difference grace makes. Better yet, and more accurate: what a difference Jesus makes! Jesus not only sees Zacchaeus as lost, but acts in his behalf, inviting himself into Zacchaeus’ house. “I must stay at your house today,” is more than a strong request. It is an intrusion into Zacchaeus’ life. Jesus will insert himself into Zacchaeus’ life and Zacchaeus will be remarkably changed.

There is a little Greek nuance here in the phrase, “I must stay” at your house. The word for “must” (δεῖ) is a powerful little word. It is the word Jesus uses when he says, “It is necessary” that the Son of Man go up to Jerusalem to suffer and die. No option here. In this case the necessity is that Jesus would not just go to Zacchaeus’ house. He “must stay” at his house. The powerful implication of “must stay” is that Jesus is not just making a friendly visit. He is enacting God’s mission—to enter the home (and heart) of a sinner. The emphasis is not on how long Jesus stays, but that he does stay, decisively and graciously.

And the little man becomes a big man. Big in receiving God’s grace. Big in having a changed heart. Big in generosity. Big because Christ has come and stayed in his home and will remain in his heart. This man, little in stature, becomes big in the example he gives us of what it means to have Jesus remain with us. We may not need to give half of our possessions to the poor, or return four times of what we have defrauded others. But we can certainly give thanks to God, recognize Jesus as Lord, and rejoice that Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

Our story may not be as dramatic as Zacchaeus’ story. But Jesus’ grace is as far reaching, and our salvation is just as extraordinary. And his presence in our hearts and lives is just as gracious.

[NOTE: I will be preaching today at St. John’s Lenten worship services, 11 AM and 7 PM. This is the text I will use and I will expand on these thoughts. Thanks for letting me cogitate on this with you through this blog post!]

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. ³² For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. ³³ And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” ³⁴ But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

³⁵ As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” ³⁸ And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ³⁹ And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁰ And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” ⁴² And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” ⁴³ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

It’s clear that many people in Jesus’ day didn’t really understand what God had in mind when he sent his messiah. Some eventually realized that Jesus was The Messiah. But even the disciples didn’t grasp the full implications of that fact. They were all, to some extent, spiritually blind.

It doesn’t look like those who were in front who rebuked the blind man, telling him to be silent. It doesn’t look like presuming you know better than God what is good and evil. It doesn’t look like telling people not to bother Jesus. It doesn’t look like the disciples at this point who can’t grasp what Jesus is telling them regarding his coming suffering and death.

It does look like a blind man who knows his only hope is in Jesus, the Son of David and in God’s mercy delivered to him through Jesus. It looks importune. It looks demanding. It looks like making a scene in your urgent need. It may discomfort some. It may seem poorly timed by others. But humble faith cares little about making a scene, bring importune, or bothering Jesus. Humble faith cares about connecting with Jesus. Humble faith sees Jesus as the arm of God’s mercy and the means by which healing and hope is to come.

Humble faith also answers the simple question of Jesus, “What do you want me to do for you?” with a simple answer, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” Lord: that’s key. For faith isn’t an internal conviction alone. It is a conviction centered in and relying on Jesus of Nazareth, Son of David.

Could you answer such a question as Jesus asks? What do you want him to do for you? Do you realize your deepest problem, be it physical healing or spiritual blindness.

I believe that just as the people of Jesus’ day didn’t really know what to expect in the Messiah, we are very likely not fully to know what it will be like when Jesus returns and when we are with him face to face. In the meantime, we do well to cultivate a humble faith. That’s a beautiful thing.

Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

¹⁵ Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁷ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

¹⁸ And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” ²¹ And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” ²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²³ But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. ²⁴ Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those  who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” ²⁸ And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” ²⁹ And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰ who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

It’s hard to be humble if…You probably know how that line ends: …if you’re perfect in every way. But I’m convinced it’s hard to be humble in many different scenarios. If you’re a dedicated follower of Jesus and have tried to live a decent and godly life it’s hard to be humble. It’s hard to be humble if you’re constantly comparing yourself to others. It’s easy to miss the log in your own eye when seeing the speck in your brother’s or sister’s eye. If you have a position of responsibility in the church or at work, it’s hard to be humble. If you’re a boss. If you’ve got your life together. If your team is doing well. If your grandson is the captain of the football team. If you’re wealthy. If, if, if… It’s just plain hard to be humble.

Jesus tells the parable of the two men who went to the temple to pray. One is humble. The other is full of hubris. The disciples take upon themselves to police the children’s access to Jesus. They discover that their assessment of their importance – or of the importance of the little children is off by 180 degrees. The rich man discovers how difficult it is to rely on God rather than his wealth. He’s not able to humble himself to the extent needed to enter the kingdom of God.

Why is it so hard to be humble? It’s because we’re hard wired to self-righteousness, self-idolatry, and self-justification. Pride is the posture of the heart that refuses to need God. It’s the primal sin. And we’ve all inherited it. It’s as natural as blinking your eyes, as unconscious breathing.

And if we manage to tame the pride monster, we’ll all too easily become proud of our humility. What hope do we have?

Our only hope is Jesus who was perfectly humble and completely submissive to his Father. He became obedient even unto death for us. Now that he is exalted to the right hand of God. He is our righteousness, hope, and salvation.

The tax collector in Jesus’ parable went home justified not because he was impressive, but because he knew he wasn’t. He threw himself on the mercy of God—and that’s exactly where grace meets us.

Humility isn’t something we muster—it’s something that happens when we stand before the cross and realize what Jesus did to gain our salvation. There we find what we could never achieve on our own: the smile of God, the welcome of Jesus, and the joy of going home justified.