FreeTruth

Two weeks from today, Jesus will die.

More than once before His death, Jesus foretold it. In Matthew 19:17-19, we have one such prediction. "I'm going to Jerusalem", He said, "and when I get there, death awaits; an unjust, cruel, mocking, shameful, horrific death at the hands of pagan rulers according to the wish and will of the religious leaders of My own people."

"But I'm going anyway."

As Good Friday draws closer, it might be good to reflect on why Jesus might have made this prediction. I wouuld offer these possible reasons:

1. He did not want his followers to be shocked by the dark days ahead, and made vulnerable by the shock. God is kind this way: He tells us often in His Word that the way of faith and obedience leads to many sorrows and much suffering so that when it happens we will not be surprised or dismayed.
2. He wanted them to know that He was fully aware of every dark development, even before it happened, so that they would know His calm and sovereign purpose in it all. Things were happening as planned by God (Acts 2:23; 4:26-28). Calvary was not a mistake or surprise, bringing our Lord's life to an untimely end; it was the reason and purpose for which He had come into the world.
3. He wanted them to know the greatness of His love. How much does Jesus love His people? Enough to walk straight ahead, fully aware that every step was leading Him closer to the cross. He didn't flinch or panic or turn back. He came to redeem those He loves through His death, and that's what He did.

He stared death in the face, and walked right into its grasp. Behold the purposeful sovereign loving grace of Christ.

Labels: Death of Christ, Ethnic Grace, Gospel, Lent

martin luther king "had a dream". as a white american i've had to think hard about how deep and gripping that dream must have been for him and must still be for all my african-american friends and neighbors. it's hard to get a handle on what it's like being oppressed and beaten down for centuries. how powerful the dream must be to be free, to be treated with true dignity, simply to be accepted and honored as an equal.

at the risk of trivializing something as profoundly important as ethnic equality and grace, being a red sox fan has taught me something that might apply. i went 46 years (my dad went 70 years) as a loyal fan of a team that never quite made it, that always suffered under the disadvantage of less money, less resources, less opportunity, and of course, as a result, fewer wins. when my team finally won in 2004 it was more than a world series victory; it was vindication, a sense of respect, an experience of finally getting something that had been (in the thinking of red sox fans everywhere) unfairly kept from us by an "evil empire" called the yankees. all rather trivial to be sure. but believe me it felt real. and the victory celebration was loud and long.

now: here's something really real. all that i felt the not-really-evil yankee empire had done to the red sox for all those years, a very real evil white "empire" has done to our black brethren for centuries. no wonder dr. king had a dream, and no wonder our fellow americans of african descent are exhilerated over our new president, barack obama.

i do not agree with our new president on many issues of profound moral and national importance (such as the abortion issue), and i grieve that the polices he holds and the people he has around him have come into power. but here's reason for pause and reflection. think about the fact that many of our black brothers and sisters also disagree with him on those same issues, yet they voted for him and now are experiencing an exhilerating celebratory catharsis over his inauguration as president. why might that be? why do so many conservative pro-life black americans vote for liberal pro-abortion candidates, and why are they in celebration mode today?

i have to believe it is because they are experiencing my red sox-finally-winning exhileration, only ten thousand times stronger and more significant. after centuries of oppression and defeat, as an ethnic people our black brothers and sisters have won the big one. and could it be that they are finally feeling that just maybe they have a real shot at respect, equality, and freedom after all. just maybe there is hope that the evil empire of bigotry can be defeated and destroyed. just maybe people of color will find a lasting place of equality in america society. just maybe our black friends and neighbors can feel that their survival and freedom are here to stay. no wonder there's celebration going on.

i think that if i was black i'd be unable to resist an overwhelming sense of release, a triumphant sense of vindication, a mighty surge of joy. so today, i am choosing to rejoice with those who rejoice. i celebrate this moment with all my african-american fellow americans: i rejoice in their joy, and i thank God that we have at least come far enough to see a day in which a man who once would not have been able to vote, has now been voted leader of our land.

to this joy, i now add this prayer: o Lord in heaven, may it be that as we come to value the sanctity of all humans regardless of the color of their skin, may we also come to value the sanctity of all humans even if yet unborn. as we have seen progress and victory for those once oppressed in life, may we see progress and victory for those who are being killed even before they see the light of day.

Giver of Life: please frustrate the life killing agenda of those who do not love those yet unborn. and may we soon see the day when human life, made in the image of God, black or white, male or female, born or unborn, will be cherished and guarded with all respect. then we will all be able to join the celebration with unrestrained and unmuted joy.

Labels: Ethnic Grace