7 March 2012

7 March 2012


"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day."

Why is it that we can hear this and without pause think only of our interests? He tells us where he is going, calling us to follow him, and yet we think only of our priorities and of the thrones we want for ourselves. No wonder when he asks us if we can drink the chalice he drinks we answer so quickly: "We can."

Had we really listened we would be surprised to hear that we shall indeed drink it. We would have realized that such a thing is well beyond our abilities. We seem to focus on power like thrones exactly to flee from the cross. We hold fast to what we can control and try to bring more under that control. Eventually, we hope, even the cross will be tamed. But it will not. He reminds us with word and example that this isn't what power is about:

"Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many."

When we are surrounded by crowds plotting against us we must turn to him instead of trying in vain to consolidate our own power.

"Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God."

Only this way can we drink his chalice. Then even when the crowds plot against us we will be steadfast. We will have spoken on their behalf even as they tried to bring about our downfall. We will call to the LORD to save us in his kindness and he will answer.