pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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The King of…

Reading: John 12:12-19

John 12:13 – “They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They shouted, ‘Hosanna!'”

Entering into Holy Week in the gospel of John, we begin the passion of the Christ with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Unique to his gospel, John gives a reason for the large crowd that celebrates Jesus. People were buzzing over Jesus calling Lazarus out of the tomb after being dead for four days. In 12:10 we read of the jealousy caused by this miracle: “The chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus too.” This jealousy shows out in verse 19 too, where the Pharisees pettily says, “Look! The whole world is following him!”

In verse 12 we read that the “great crowd” in town for the Passover festival heard that Jesus was coming. So, “They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They shouted, ‘Hosanna!'” The word “hosanna” translates to “save us, we pray!” Also from the Psalms, the crowd offers blessings to “the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” The crowd identifies Jesus as “the king of Israel.” Mid-story Jesus finds a young donkey and begins riding it. He too claims the title of “king,” quoting from the prophet Zechariah.

John admits, in verse 16, that the disciples didn’t connect the dots at first. John and his fellow disciples wouldn’t understand the meaning and connections until after Jesus died and rose. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit would help with this. In the same way, the Holy Spirit leads and guides is in our faith if we are willing to listen and obey.

Prayer: Lord God, we see a crowd caught up in the miracle Jesus offered. They cheer and shout. We too can do these things. We can come to Easter and shout “He is risen!” Then the Monday after is like any other Monday. Lord, may it not be so. Draw us deeper into our faith. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, bring us understanding and obedience too. Lead and guide us to see and follow Jesus as the one who sits on the throne of our hearts. Amen.


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Redeem, Restore, Rescue

Readings: Psalm 137:1-3 and 8, Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion. Sing aloud, Daughter Jerusalem. Look, your king will come to you. He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and riding on an ass.”

The people of God had already experienced much trauma leading up to their exile in Babylon. The nation had split into Israel and Judah. Both parts experienced good and bad kings – much more of the latter. Israel, and later Judah were conquered and hauled into exile. It is in this foreign land, living under a pagan oppressor, that Israel’s longing for a Messiah really begins to take shape.

Psalm 137 is a song of lament. In the first few verses the writer expresses the people’s collective sadness. Their captors are forcing them to sing songs of joy. These songs are intended to be sung as they ascend to the temple, preparing themselves to worship God. They were forced to sing these songs out of place, to a God whose home – the temple – was destroyed. It is no wonder that they long for destroyer Babylon to be paid back by the one who will come to redeem and restore Israel.

This longing for a rescuer, for a Messiah, is expressed in Zechariah 9:9. These words will be brought to life by a king riding into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt. Psalms will be waving and shouts of “Hosanna!” will fill the air. It’s just the Romans who now oppress, who now need overthrown. This is the king that Israel still longs for. It is just not the kind of king that Jesus will prove himself to be. His rescue, redemption, and restoration is not military but personal and spiritual.

Prayer: Lord God, for many the longing for a Messiah remains very real. Today people long to be redeemed and rescued – from an abusive relationship, from addiction, from financial hardship, from illness, from oppression, from injustice… These real struggles weigh upon their hearts, upon our hearts. Lord Jesus, please ride into our hearts, enter through those gates, bringing a peace to the battles, a calm to the chaos, a strength to the weakness, a wholeness to the brokenness. Rescue, redeem, and restore. Amen.


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Speaking and Living Truth

Readings: Numbers 22, Numbers 23, Numbers 24, Numbers 25

Numbers 22:38 – “I’ve now come to you. But I’m only able to speak whatever word God gives me to say. That is what I will speak.”

Most of today’s readings cover the story of Balaam. He is an Aramean seer. As Israel camps across the Jordan from Jericho, the Moabites are filled with fear. They are aware of what Israel just did to Arad, Sihon, and Og, seizing control of the lands east of the Jordan. So Moab’s king Balak hires Balaam to come and curse Israel. While traveling to Moab, Balaam has an encounter with his donkey and with the messenger of the Lord. Three times his trip is interrupted. God reiterates the command to speak for God. Upon meeting Balak, Balaam says, “I’ve now come to you. But I’m only able to speak whatever word God gives me to say. That is what I will speak.” Three times Balak tries to get Balaam to curse Israel. Three times Balaam blesses Israel and responds to an angry Balak by reiterating his command to speak the Lord’s words.

The blessings become greater as the story unfolds. It begins with ‘how can I curse what God doesn’t curse?’ Then the words speak of how Israel will rise like a lioness, devouring its prey. The blessing culminates as the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Balaam. He speaks three oracles that foreshadow Israel devouring specific Canaanite tribes. Clearly God is with Israel. Placed in a very difficult situation and tempted with wealth and status, Balaam remains faithful to speaking God’s words. We will find ourselves in situations where we feel pressure to go along with the crowd or to bow to the powers on hand. We’ll be tempted by what we can gain by not speaking God’s word. In those hard places may we remember Balaam and the trust and faith he displayed in the midst of worldly powers.

Our reading closes with a story that illustrates the dangers of succumbing to the ways of the world around us. Israelite men have sex with Moabite women. This leads to idolatry, to death, and to a plague. An Israelite man then brings a Midianite woman into camp to have sex. Phinehas responds violently. He is jealous for the Lord. The plagues ends. 24,000 have died. God instructs Moses to destroy the Midianites. Allowing ourselves to be negatively influenced by the world can pull us away from our faith too. But, is the trouble not really within us?

Prayer: Lord God, what stark contrasts we have today. Alone in the midst of the world, Balaam speaks truth. Intermingling with the world around them, Israel fails to live truth. Guide us, Lord, and empower us, O Spirit, to speak and to live the ways of truth. Amen.