I have been reflecting a lot on the season – Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter. I have been thinking about the different perspectives leading up to the crucifixion of Christ.
The perspective of some of the Jewish leaders is found in their plotting for Jesus’ death. They saw this as an opportunity to be rid of this trouble-maker once and for all. He had challenged them, the law, and traditions. He had stirred up crowds that had begun to question conventional thinking. They thought if they could just kill Him, the problems would go away. Their perspective was one of hope – hope for the end of a rabble-rouser.
The Romans’ perspective was different. This was just another day – another misfit – another opportunity to make sport of a Jew. The day held no promise beyond the enjoyment they would find in torturing another human being.
The disciples, following Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday still held the hope of an overthrow of the Romans and freedom from tyranny. They knew there was some climax coming. There hope was for relief from oppression.
Jesus knew what was coming. He could see the cross looming ahead. He knew he was coming to the end of His time on earth. The Jewish religious leaders looked to be done with Him; the Romans to make sport of Him; and the disciples to fight for and with Him. These three groups look with anticipation of something good for them – teaching without challenge – sport – reigning with Jesus, the king.
Jesus carried the weight of the world on His shoulders. He was facing a showdown with the enemy. We look at Easter in the rear-view mirror and celebrate it’s victory but the road to Easter morning weighed heavy on the heart of the Star of day.
Jesus looked beyond the cross and:
for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2b
Jesus was able to look beyond the cross and even beyond the resurrection to His place with the Father.
We are so tied to the here and now – the present – personal comfort – absence of trouble – that we have difficulty looking beyond to what God has in store for us.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” – I John 3:1-3
I confess that I most frequently view my relationship with Jesus as one in which He can change my circumstances – make life easier, more pleasant – what He really wants is to change me.
Just as the people who knew Jesus had different perspectives on the significance of that passion week – perspectives so different from Jesus, I often have a different perspective on what He wants to do in my life.
