Beyond Good Friday.

His coming death in Jerusalem was difficult for the disciples to comprehend. Jesus had been very specific about the reason for their journey. Jerusalem was fixed in his sight and Luke emphasized his passionate pursuit of the Holy City. Those closest to him no doubt wrestled with the reality of his words. Just the same, Jesus had also reminded them of his resurrection. They heard the horrific prediction of his death. But, they also heard the Good News of his glorious resurrection. Luke wrote---

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of

Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and

scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Luke 9: 21-22, ESV

Later, still before their entry to Jerusalem, Jesus told them about what would be happening when they arrived. Luke recorded it---

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and

everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.

For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated

and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will

rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and

they did not grasp what was said.

Luke 18: 31-34, ESV

Surely the reality of his coming death was news they could hardly comprehend, truth so overwhelming that the final phrase about being raised was overshadowed by their grief. Shocking news does that to us mere humans. I remember the day I was diagnosed with advanced stage bladder cancer. The doctor said death was possible if the cancer wasn't taken from my body ASAP. He added that he thought he could remove the tumors and treat the cancer. After the word death, however, I didn't hear the possibility of cure. Death has a way of intruding on every other reality.

Along the way Jesus had taught them about what God could do. Right before the third announcement of his death Jesus had told them that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven (Luke 18: 25). We humans love our stuff and will rarely set it aside for the sake of the Kingdom. Anyway, this segment aimed them at the work of God.

Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible

with man is possible with God.”

Luke 18: 26-27, ESV

Jesus wanted them to see beyond Good Friday. He wanted them to realize that his death in Jerusalem wasn't the end of the story. The suffering, pain, torment, and immediate opposition would end in his miraculous resurrection from the dead. He had instructed them about anxiety and worry (see Luke 12: 22-34) and told them frankly that he would be raised on the third day. Devastated by the news of his coming death they could not grasp the Good News of his resurrection.

Seeing beyond the moment is often difficult for our species. Emotional stress, physical pain, and spiritual immaturity can dominate and rule over us. Right now the weight of Covid-19 and the dangers of infection blind us to the reality that Sunday is coming, and the promise of life ever-lasting. But, unless God brings this universe to an end, Sunday is still coming. This glorious day reminds us of our citizenship in heaven, and the joys of eternity. God, please give us the hope of seeing beyond the moment.

Tomorrow we'll reflect on the blessings of going up.

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Selective hearing.

OK, late last year I surrendered to the ravages of geezerhood and consulted with an audiologist about my hearing. She conducted a test of my claustrophobic tendencies in a tiny sound-proof vault, let me listen to a range of beeps, and prescribed my first set of hearing aids. In a follow up visit a week or so later she made several adjustments and asked if my hearing had improved. Harriet was quick with an answer. She said the hearing aids were totally worthless. They did nothing to remedy my selective hearing. Yuk, yuk!

Of a truth, we humans typically hear what we want to hear. Selective hearing may have peaked in recent years, another hallmark of living in fast, complicated times. Listening may be one of our most overlooked personal disciplines. And, its been on display in bold print lately as we try to comprehend the many mysteries of Covid-19. If you want some comic relief from this information overload, spend some time on social media after a presidential or gubernatorial press conference. Or, following comments by some of the medical community. Even more, as you listen to the main-stream media types editorialize their take on shared data. Getting the facts depends in great part on who we ask. There's also the complication of how we listen. We hear what we want to hear.

Evidently the Twelve were choosy in their listening habits as well. Jesus had clearly explained the reason for their journey to Jerusalem. Peter, James , and John were with him on the Mount of Transfiguration. While they were there a voice from heaven announced, "This is my Son, my chosen One, listen to him" (Luke 9: 35). A while later Jesus spoke to them---"Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men" (Luke 9:44). Earlier Luke had written----

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of

Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and

scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Luke 9: 21-22, ESV

They had been cautioned about listening and warned about what was awaiting them in the City of David. Yet, they argued about which of them was the greatest among his followers. Luke again wrote---

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus,

knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to

them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me

receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.

Luke 9: 46-48, ESV

They must have thought the kingdom of their Messiah would be established when they arrived in Jerusalem. They argued about which one of them would be primary in that Kingdom. Obviously, they had not been listening carefully. They had heard what they wanted to hear and imagined what they wanted to imagine as a result.

Jesus had taught his followers about listening and doing. Luke wrote---

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what

he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on

the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not

shake it, because it had been well built.

Luke 6: 47-48, ESV

Listening and doing are companion disciplines. How in the world can we do the right thing if we're listening carelessly. Jesus was passionate about going to Jerusalem. He wanted his disciples to hear him accurately so they would obey him correctly. We're in crisis times. Everybody has an opinion. Taking right actions will require us to listen as intently and passionately as Jesus in the journey to Jerusalem.

Speculative hearing won't do.

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Focus.

Even though he wrote with the precision of a first century medical professional Luke's record of the journey to Jerusalem lacks a few details. The starting point isn't specifically identified. Many of the villages along the way are mentioned in generic form without specific names. It reminds me that Luke wasn't writing a travel guide or geographical lesson plan. Dr. Luke wanted his readers to note the passion and intentional movement of Jesus along the way. That is perhaps the reason God inspired him to use connection language in the stops the entourage made as they traveled. Luke shifted our focus away from the trip. The destination was his focal point.

Jesus and the disciples had been in the Galilee region. He had fed the 5,000 on a hillside facing the Sea of Galilee. If their journey began anywhere around the sea, the trip to Jerusalem would have been in the neighborhood of 118 km, around 75 miles. There would have been pauses traveling that difficult terrain. Luke noted several of them---

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha

welcomed him into her house.

Luke 10: 38, ESV

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward

Jerusalem

Luke 13: 22, ESV

Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it

cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’

Luke 13: 33, ESV

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.

Luke 17: 11, ESV

Each verse reminds the reader that Jesus was either "on the way", "on my way", or "on his way". Stops were made. Jesus ministered, served, and blessed people in those remote towns and villages. In each instance, however, his focus was on mission---"finishing the work of his Father in heaven" (see John 4: 34). This kind of mission focus inspires and challenges me. You know it's true. Today the Christian community in the USA stays busy and occupied with worthy and beneficial service. In many instances, however, mission is set aside. As the old saying goes, we're often so busy doing church that we lose focus on being church. Ouch. That's a strong dose.

It is easy to lose focus in a world of need. Not one of the ministries Jesus performed during that journey could be considered wrongful, or outside the scope of Christian ministry. They were certainly not distractions. Jesus taught, healed, and served at every rest-stop. He never lost focus of his destination, however. All of those ministry needs were "on the way". Jerusalem was central.

Focus is a product of genuine passion. Take right now, for example. Few of us are scientifically qualified to do anything regarding the coronavirus. Even the thousands of medical and laboratory professionals are being stumped by this virus strain. The prevention and cure of Covid-19 should be a unifying focus our of prayers, thoughts, and other resources, however. Today our comforts in a trying time are the central issue for most of us. Life must go on, and we're allergic to others telling us what to do, especially the government. We're a little resistant. We want to do our thing.

For me, the focus of this hour is the safety of our families and fellow citizens. Scripture advises that everything we do be done for the glory of God. But, the safety of our people and prevention of the contagion should be our unified focus. In my heart we should willingly step away from meeting as a church for the sake of these corporate goals.

We should have the passion to keep us focused.

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