Life This Side of Heaven

It’s tempting to feel insignificant and overlooked in a world which takes little notice of Christians.  So, living in a culture that grows ever more hostile to Christ, it's shocking to hear the announcement was made to John in this passage.  And it’s one that applies to you as well. Jesus Himself tells us that we’re a kingdom!  And you and I have been made priests to serve our loving God!

Today’s Christians are often short-changed.  They’re being robbed as they miss out a remarkable blessing. Think of how often you hear how this new life is described as "the easy life" and collecting riches. It’s a far cry from the suffering and sacrifice that God described for Paul.  But you can be sure that the apostle wouldn’t have it any other way. Wait until you hear why.

It must have been a little frustrating for the women to be treated this condescendingly when they shared the good news of our Savior's resurrection.  And that’s probably an accurate description of what you and I may experience when we share it with our family, friends and loved ones. But that doesn’t mean that the Good News of Easter isn’t true. Take a look at the encouraging facts of what took place next.

Amidst the many details, surrounding the events of our Savior’s Passion, God made sure to include one that we may easily overlook. And it's particularly useful as we sit down to hear of our Lord's suffering and death, whether at home in our devotions or at worship, on this Good Friday.

When it comes to the events of Palm Sunday, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, have all recorded, with great detail, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem.  And it’s worth knowing that what makes it memorable is the care that went into it, the visual spectacle it created, and the unmistakable statement He was careful to make. However, it's not the entrance of a superhero. It's the entrance of our Savior!

Here in Luke, Jesus quoted Psalm 118, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone." In Jesus’ day the chief priests and the teachers of the law rejected Him.  Many of their reasons for rejecting Him are the same reasons people have for rejecting Him today.  However, God Himself has carried off the work of your salvation with perfect planning and precision. And the result is that it still stands to this day.

Resentment is a powerful emotion.  It’s easy to hate those who have harmed you. It’s hard not to be bitter when you’ve been betrayed. So when Paul says, "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view," it may sound difficult, even impossible. You may be thinking, “I don’t have that kind of strength.”  And you’re right. But the apostle points us to the One who does.

Pointing to two catastrophes that would have made headlines in those days, Jesus gave voice to the question that many ask at times like these. However, as you look closely at this passage in Luke, Jesus doesn't answer that question. Instead, He points us to the important question we should be asking.