Pierced

Look, my servant will succeed.
    He will be exalted and lifted very high.
Just as many were appalled by you,
    he too appeared disfigured, inhuman,
    his appearance unlike that of mortals.
But he will astonish many nations.
    Kings will be silenced because of him,
    because they will see what they haven’t seen before;
    what they haven’t heard before, they will ponder.
Who can believe what we have heard,
    and for whose sake has the Lord’s arm been revealed?
He grew up like a young plant before us,
    like a root from dry ground.
He possessed no splendid form for us to see,
    no desirable appearance.
He was despised and avoided by others;
    a man who suffered, who knew sickness well.
Like someone from whom people hid their faces,
    he was despised, and we didn’t think about him.
It was certainly our sickness that he carried,
    and our sufferings that he bore,
    but we thought him afflicted,
    struck down by God and tormented.
He was pierced because of our rebellions
    and crushed because of our crimes.
    He bore the punishment that made us whole;
    by his wounds we are healed.
Like sheep we had all wandered away,
    each going its own way,
    but the Lord let fall on him all our crimes.
He was oppressed and tormented,
    but didn’t open his mouth.
Like a lamb being brought to slaughter,
    like a ewe silent before her shearers,
    he didn’t open his mouth.
Due to an unjust ruling he was taken away,
    and his fate—who will think about it?
He was eliminated from the land of the living,
    struck dead because of my people’s rebellion.
His grave was among the wicked,
    his tomb with evildoers,
    though he had done no violence,
    and had spoken nothing false.
But the Lord wanted to crush him
    and to make him suffer.
If his life is offered as restitution,
    he will see his offspring; he will enjoy long life.
    The Lord’s plans will come to fruition through him.
After his deep anguish he will see light, and he will be satisfied.
Through his knowledge, the righteous one, my servant,
    will make many righteous,
    and will bear their guilt.
Therefore, I will give him a share with the great,
    and he will divide the spoil with the strong,
    in return for exposing his life to death
    and being numbered with rebels,
    though he carried the sin of many
    and pleaded on behalf of those who rebelled.
(Isaiah 52:13—53:12, CEB)

He bore the punishment that made us whole; by his wounds we are healed.

He bore our sin and by his wounds we are given a place with God.

His death was due to power. Power that was going to be lost. He was not a substitute for us. He was killed by religious power to maintain power.

His wounds healed us, but not as a substitute. As love.

Love for a fallen and broken world that loved the idea of the world it had more than the one the creator wanted them to see.

Love for a fallen and broken people that loved themselves and sought their own desire over that of the people created by God and what God desired.

Love of a God who died to show love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Command

Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.” After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’ “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” (John 13:1-17, 31b-35, CEB)

A new command I give you. Maundatum means command. Maundy Thursday is command Thursday. And Jesus gives the disciples a new command. To love one another as I have loved you. And how did Jesus show this love?

He showed the disciples love by washing their feet. Taking on the role of a servant. And reread the story to see that Jesus washed all disciples feet, including Judas.

Love knows no limit and is freely available to all. Love all people, even when they don’t fit your box, or you know they are going to turn on you. We do not choose who we love, as Jesus showed love to all.

Love like Jesus.

Love one another as I have loved you. As I have loved the one who hands me over.

Loving People. Loving God.

Disturbed

After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.” His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was at Jesus’ side. Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about. Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped into the bowl.”Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. After Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” No one sitting at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. Some thought that, since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus told him, “Go, buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So when Judas took the bread, he left immediately. And it was night. When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. (John 13:21-32, CEB)

Jesus was disturbed for who knew what was going to happen. But when Judas left, Jesus was glorified!

Jesus shows us his humanity in his state of being knowing what is about to happen and the processes set in motion by Judas leaving to do what he must.

Jesus shows us he gets our anxiety and worry.

Jesus knows your struggle.

Jesus loves you beyond measure and understands your struggle.

Loving People. Loving God.

See

Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human One to be glorified. I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me. “Now I am deeply troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? No, for this is the reason I have come to this time. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard and said, “It’s thunder.” Others said, “An angel spoke to him.” Jesus replied, “This voice wasn’t for my benefit but for yours. Now is the time for judgment of this world. Now this world’s ruler will be thrown out. When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (He said this to show how he was going to die.) The crowd responded, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Human One must be lifted up? Who is this Human One?” Jesus replied, “The light is with you for only a little while. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness don’t know where they are going. As long as you have the light, believe in the light so that you might become people whose lives are determined by the light.” After Jesus said these things, he went away and hid from them. (John 12:20-36, CEB)

This passage always makes me stop and ponder.

Some Greeks come to Philip and say we wish to see Jesus. Philip and Andrew tell Jesus some people are looking for him and Jesus goes into a monologue about his glory and time for the Human one to suffer.

Uhm Jesus, these guys over here want to talk to you. What is this about your time has come and it is time for your glory?

They just want to talk to you. If you do not want to talk to them we could just say that.

Jesus did hide from them. Because Jesus knew what was going to happen when those who are not part of the religious group he was a part of came looking for him. The end was near, because we did not get it.

But the darkness will never over come the light.

Always look to see Jesus. And help the light disperse the darkness.

Love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Always

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Lazarus and his sisters hosted a dinner for him. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who joined him at the table. Then Mary took an extraordinary amount, almost three-quarters of a pound, of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She anointed Jesus’ feet with it, then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), complained, “This perfume was worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would take what was in it.) Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial, and this is how she has used it. You will always have the poor among you, but you won’t always have me.” Many Jews learned that he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. The chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus too. It was because of Lazarus that many of the Jews had deserted them and come to believe in Jesus. (John 12:1-11, CEB)

You will always have the poor but you won’t always have me.

Does this mean we should not care for the poor? Or maybe sometimes we need to use resources for something else? Meaning that we use what we can to help those in need, and sometimes we do what we need to do to prepare ourselves?

The author of the gospel of John calls Judas a thief and maybe he was, or maybe he wasn’t and I honestly don’t think that the money being stolen impacts the story.

Mary prepared Jesus for burial. What do we do in our lives to prepare a way for Jesus?

Are we more concerned with saving resources or preparing Jesus?

We will always have those in need. Jesus is always with us.

Always love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Needs

After Jesus said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As Jesus came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he gave two disciples a task. He said, “Go into the village over there. When you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘Its master needs it.’” Those who had been sent found it exactly as he had said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “Its master needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road. As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said, “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.” Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!” He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.” (Luke 19:28-40, CEB)

What do you need?

Not what do you want. Because want and need are two different things.

This story, the Palm Sunday story from the gospels is the only story in all of the New Testament that we see Jesus needs something.

And what does Jesus need?

Not Peace.
Not Love.
Not Hope.
Not the end of famine.
Not the end of hatred.

Jesus needs a colt. A donkey.

A means to ride into Jerusalem to complete a prophecy.

So what do you need?

Loving People. Loving God.

Meal

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the legal experts were looking for a way to kill Jesus, because they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. He went out and discussed with the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard how he could hand Jesus over to them. They were delighted and arranged payment for him. He agreed and began looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them—a time when the crowds would be absent. The Day of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John with this task: “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover meal.” They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” Jesus replied, “When you go into the city, a man carrying a water jar will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters. Say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher says to you, “Where is the guestroom where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” ’ He will show you a large upstairs room, already furnished. Make preparations there.” They went and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal. (Luke 22:1-13, CEB)

What is the last special meal you remember with friends?
What did you eat?
Where was it?
Who was there?

This meal is the Passover. The meal God commanded God’s people to eat and remember. It is the meal we get Holy Communion from.

Where was it? At the man’s house who was carrying a water jug when the disciples came to town. In the guest room. Nothing fancy. Just a simple place for a simple meal.

A simple meal that gives us God’s grace, mercy, and love.

A simple meal with friends.
Community built.
Community loved.

Loving People. Loving God.

Holy

It was appropriate for God, for whom and through whom everything exists, to use experiences of suffering to make perfect the pioneer of salvation. This salvation belongs to many sons and daughters whom he’s leading to glory. This is because the one who makes people holy and the people who are being made holy all come from one source. That is why Jesus isn’t ashamed to call them brothers and sisters when he says, I will publicly announce your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you in the middle of the assembly. He also says, I will rely on him. And also, Here I am with the children whom God has given to me. Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he also shared the same things in the same way. He did this to destroy the one who holds the power over death—the devil—by dying. He set free those who were held in slavery their entire lives by their fear of death. Of course, he isn’t trying to help angels, but rather he’s helping Abraham’s descendants. Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way. This was so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, in order to wipe away the sins of the people. He’s able to help those who are being tempted, since he himself experienced suffering when he was tempted. (Hebrews 2:10-18, CEB)

We are made holy not by our actions.

We are not made holy for standing up for the downtrodden, oppressed, widow, or orphan.

We are made holy by Jesus. We are named and claimed as a child of God because we were created by God and loved by God.

We are called to show that love in the world.

Do you let the world see Jesus through your life or are you making it harder for them to see God?

Loving People. Loving God.

Control

This is why it’s necessary for us to pay more attention to what we have heard, or else we may drift away from it. If the message that was spoken by angels was reliable, and every offense and act of disobedience received an appropriate consequence, how will we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? It was first announced through the Lord, and then it was confirmed by those who heard him. God also vouched for their message with signs, amazing things, various miracles, and gifts from the Holy Spirit, which were handed out the way he wanted. God didn’t put the world that is coming (the world we are talking about) under the angels’ control. Instead, someone declared somewhere,
What is humanity that you think about them?
        Or what are the human beings that you care about them?
For a while you made them lower than angels.
        You crowned the human beings with glory and honor.
        You put everything under their control.
When he puts everything under their control, he doesn’t leave anything out of control. But right now, we don’t see everything under their control yet. However, we do see the one who was made lower in order than the angels for a little while—it’s Jesus! He’s the one who is now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of his death. He suffered death so that he could taste death for everyone through God’s grace. (Hebrews 2:1-9, CEB)

Humanity has control over creation. We were made just a little lower than the angels and were placed in control to watch over creation.

I wonder how God thinks we are doing?

Rolling back EPA recommendations and a new way for corporations to request to release of chemicals into the air in the United States. Is this the control God intended?

We rape and use the land and resources for our own benefits to line our pockets with riches we can not take with us and do not matter. The streets of Heaven are gold to show that what we think is the best is going to be walked on for all eternity.

Riches are being there for others and seeing that everyone has justice and mercy.

So, how are we doing?

Are we great yet?

Loving People. Loving God.

Mistreated

Jesus took the Twelve aside and said, “Look, we’re going up to Jerusalem, and everything written about the Human One by the prophets will be accomplished. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. He will be ridiculed, mistreated, and spit on. After torturing him, they will kill him. On the third day, he will rise up.” But the Twelve understood none of these words. The meaning of this message was hidden from them and they didn’t grasp what he was saying. (Luke 18:31-34. CEB)

Jesus was plain, but his followers didn’t understand or hear him.

It seems to be a recurring theme in life.

Jesus was killed because the power in place didn’t want to lose their power. He threatened their security and way of life, and rather than hear him out and see if his way might be a better life for all humanity, they chose to eliminate the issue. And followers still do not understand this.

Jesus came to show us how to live and love.

Are you mistreating parts of the body?

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.