When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
Jesus was following his Father's plan and fulfilling his will. We see that even as Jerusalem became the focus he did not lose sight of the bigger picture that would entail not only ignominious suffering and death but also his glorious resurrection and his being taken up into heaven. It was that big picture which gave such urgency to his journey to Jerusalem. It was thus that he "set his face" toward Jerusalem as the text is literally translated.
But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame (see Isaiah 50:7).
This attitude was also referenced in the Letter to the Hebrews, telling us to "look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (see Hebrews 12:2).
Now, if this attitude of Jesus had been one merely of gritting his teeth and enduring, of being tough and pushing through, it might not have gone well for those along the way who appeared to be obstacles.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
Perhaps James and John saw something of this determination and thought their suggestion appropriate to the intensity they saw in Jesus. Should they not call down fire on the Samaritan enemies as Elijah had done (see Second Kings 1:9-12)? However, they Samaritans, though not yet allies, were not enemies of Jesus. It was in fact part of the larger plan that the Samaritans, would be regathered to Israel along with all of the lost tribes, and finally all the nations. The Samaritans did not welcome Jesus because of his destination. It wasn't personal. But his true enemies in Jerusalem opposed him as an individual, repudiating what he did and taught in their midst. Yet even upon them Jesus did not call down fire, nor did he someone legions of angels to his defense. Rather he embodied what he had taught in the sermon on the plain.
But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic (see Luke 6:27-29).
Jesus did indeed pray for those who crucified him, and did not withhold even his tunic from them. He did this not merely by being tough and enduring, though certainly he must have been tough to endure what he endured. The reason why Jesus was able to retain his love and compassion even when he was pressed and persecuted was because he kept his Father's will before him, kept the promised joy of fulfilling the Father's plan ever in mind. That joy was not for himself alone. It was also to be shared by Samaritans, Jews, and Gentiles; by the very world that had made itself God's enemy. Jesus himself was doing what was necessary so that those very people could call God friend and Father.
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village.
Remembering the big picture helps us to brush the dirt off or our shoulder and keep going, unflustered, and able to continue to manifest the fruits of the Spirit, fruits that we sometimes lose under stress, including gentleness, patience, and kindness (see Galatians 5:22-23).
When Job collapsed in despair it was because he was unable to see the larger picture in play. Indeed, part of the lesson for Job was that he must learn to trust that there always was such a larger picture even if he could not know or see it. But we, unlike Job, have had that picture revealed to us, though we might not always see how it applies in a particular circumstance. Our hope is firm, but sometimes our hearts and minds are still weak. Let us ask the Lord teach us to set our faces firmly on the joy that is set before us, which is finally nothing other than God himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment