Non-answer | pastorjohnb

Luke 22:39-46 and 67-71

Luke 22:42: – “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.”

Before looking at Luke’s account of Jesus before Caiaphas and the council, we begin in the garden, where Jesus prayed. In verses 39-46 Jesus and the disciples are in a familiar place. They are in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. In our text we see that it was Jesus’ custom to pray there regularly. As he prepared to pray he encourages the disciples, saying, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” Going further into the garden, Jesus kneels and prays.

Jesus prays, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” He is wrestling with what lies ahead. The divine part of Jesus understands that this is God’s plan. So deep is his human anguish, though, that an angel comes and strengthens him. Jesus then prays so hard that he sweats and this appears to be like “drops of blood falling to the ground.” That is some earnest prayer. This contrasts sharply with the disciples’ approach. Faced with anguish and uncertainty and fear, they opt for sleep, being “overcome with grief.” Jesus again encourages them to pray.

Now we turn to Jesus’ encounter with Caiaphas and the council. This is a group chat here, not a one-on-one conversation. In response to queries about being the Christ, Jesus quotes here from Psalm 110, not Joel 7. Yet the general idea is the same. Jesus gives a non-answer to the question: “You say that I am.” They really don’t, just as they didn’t in Matthew’s gospel. Jesus is allowing God’s will to be done here. The story will continue as the council brings this “blasphemous” Jesus to Pilate. The charges change as they enter the political arena. The train rolls on.

Prayer: Lord God, give us the strength of Jesus in our moments of trial and temptation. Open our eyes and hearts to your bigger plans, to your purposes. When we are human, tempted to sleep or otherwise deal with the hard emotions or realities, strengthen us by your Spirit, keeping us from giving into temptation. Empower our faithful obedience to your will and way. Amen.

Readings: Mark 14:61-62 and Matthew 26:63-64

Mark 14:61 – “Are you the Christ?”

Today we look at two accounts from Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leadership council. The actors are the same and the content is mostly the same. But there is one key, important difference. In both gospels the high priest is asking or demanding that Jesus answer the question, “Are you the Christ?” Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God is blasphemous from the religious leaders place of understanding.

Both passages end with Jesus quoting from Joel’s vision of heaven found in Joel 7. In verse 13 Joel writes, “I suddenly saw one like a human being coming with the heavenly clouds.” The prophet goes on to describe how “rule, glory, and kingship” were given to this “everlasting one” from God. The “human one” and “Son of God” terms often associated with Jesus were messianic terms. In both Mark and Matthew this quote is Jesus’ way of asserting that he is indeed the Christ.

Right there in the middle of this conversation, though, we find an interesting difference. In Matthew’s gospel, in response to the high priest’s question, Jesus’ response is, “You said it.” It is almost a non-answer. In Mark’s gospel the response is, “I am.” Clear, straight forward, unflinching. Why such a difference?

Each gospel is unique. If they were carbon copies we would only have one gospel in our Bibles. Each author brings who they are and how they understood who and what Jesus was and is to their writing. Each author focuses their gospel for a specific audience with a specific purpose. In the coming days and weeks we will unpack these ideas.

Prayer: Lord God, as we consider the whole of your story it is clear that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Holy one of God, you in the flesh. One day he will come again, “on the clouds.” We await this day when all things will be made new. As we wait, walk with us each day. Help us to embrace the mystery of faith. Strengthen and encourage us for the journey. Amen.

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Clear,account, audience, Christ, clear, clouds, different, everlasting, glory, God, gospel, Jesus, Joel, kingship, Messianic, Non-answer, presence, purpose, rule, unique, unpack, wait

	kstock@midco.net on Good News
	Not Gonna Bow to You… on Claim and Proclaim
	Not Gonna Bow to You… on Know This for Certain
	Ashton W on A God to Know
	Wisdom from Proverbs… on Paths Diverge Sharply

	kstock@midco.net on Good News
	Not Gonna Bow to You… on Claim and Proclaim
	Not Gonna Bow to You… on Know This for Certain
	Ashton W on A God to Know
	Wisdom from Proverbs… on Paths Diverge Sharply

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