His Enemies Supported the Truth

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’  Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.”  Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”  So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.  (Mt 27:62-66)

Everywhere deceit recoils upon itself, and against its will supports the truth.  And observe, it was necessary for it to be believed that He died, and that He rose again, and that He was buried, and all these things are brought to pass by His enemies.  See, at any rate, these words bearing witness to every one of these facts. … So then the proof of His resurrection has become incontrovertible by what you have put forward.  For because it was sealed, there was no unfair dealing.  But if there was no unfair dealing, and the tomb was found empty, it is evident that He is risen, plainly and incontrovertibly.  Do you see how even against their will they contend for the proof of the truth? … What then did Pilate say?  “You have a guard; make it as secure as you can.  And they made it secure, sealing the tomb and setting the guard.”  He does not allow the soldiers alone to seal, for having learned the things concerning Christ, he was no longer willing to cooperate with them.  But in order to be rid of them, he endures this also and says, “Seal it as you will, that you may not have it in your power to blame others.”  For if the soldiers only had sealed, they might have said (although the saying would have been improbable and false, yet nevertheless as in the rest they cast aside shame, so in this too they might have been able to say), that the soldiers, having given up the body to be stolen, gave His disciples opportunity to feign the history concerning His resurrection, but now having themselves made it secure, they are not able to say so much as this.

See how they labor for the truth against their will?  For they themselves came to Pilate, themselves asked, themselves sealed, setting the watch, so as to be accusers and refuters of one another.

John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 89.1

Cast Off and Rejected

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”  And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.  But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  (Mt 27:45-49)

Certain people, in an outward display of piety for Jesus, because they are unable to explain how Christ could be forsaken by God, believe that this saying from the cross is true only as an expression of his humility.  We, however, who know that he who was “in the form of God” descended from the greatness of his stature and emptied himself, “taking the form of a servant” according to the will of the one who sent him, understand that he was indeed forsaken by the Father inasmuch as he who was the form of the invisible God and the image of the Father “took the form of a servant.”  He was forsaken for people so that he might shoulder so great a work and come “even to death” and “the death of the cross,” a work which seems thoroughly shameful to most people.  For it was the height of his abandonment when they crucified him and placed above his head the disdainful inscription “This is Jesus, king of the Jews.”  It was the height of his abandonment when they crucified him with thieves and when “those who passed by blasphemed him and wagged their heads.”  The chief priests and scribes said, “He saved others but cannot save himself.”  At that time “even the thieves reviled him” on the cross.  Clearly then you will be able to understand the saying “Why have you forsaken me?” when you compare the glory Christ had in the presence of the Father with the contempt he sustained on the cross, for his throne was

like the sun in the presence of God and like the moon established forever; and he was his faithful witness in heaven.  [Ps 89:36-37 LXX]

Afterwards, he also added with regard to those reasons for which he said “why have you forsaken me?”

But now you have cast off and rejected, you are full of wrath against your anointed.  You have renounced the covenant of your servant, you have defiled his crown in the dust.  [Ps 89:38-39 LXX]

Origen, Commentary on Matthew 135

He Answered Nothing

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Jesus said, “You have said so.”  But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer.  Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?”  But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.  (Mt 27:11-14)

When false witnesses testified against our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, He remained silent.  And when unfounded charges were brought against Him, He returned no answer, believing that His whole life and conduct among the Jews were a better refutation than any answer to the false testimony, or than any formal defense against the accusations.… Now, with respect to our Lord’s silence when false testimony was given against Him, it is sufficient at present to quote the words of Matthew, for the testimony of Mark is to the same effect.  And the words of Matthew are as follow:

And the high priest and the council sought false witness against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none, although many false witnesses came forward.  At last two false witnesses came and said, “This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after three days to build it up.”  And the high priest arose, and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing to what these testify against You?”  But Jesus held His peace.

And that He returned no answer when falsely accused, the following is the statement:

And Jesus stood before the governor; and he asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”  And Jesus said to him, “You have said so.”  And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.  Then said Pilate unto Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”  And He answered him nothing, so that the governor marveled greatly.

It was, indeed, a matter of surprise to men even of ordinary intelligence, that one who was accused and assailed by false testimony, but who was able to defend Himself, and to show that He was guilty of none of the allegations, and who might have enumerated the praiseworthy deeds of His own life, and His miracles worked by divine power, so as to give the judge an opportunity of delivering a more honorable judgment regarding Him, should not have done this, but should have disdained such a procedure, and in the nobleness of His nature have disregarded His accusers.  That the judge would, without any hesitation, have set Him at liberty if He had offered a defense, is clear from what is related of him when he said, “Which of the two do ye wish that I should release unto you, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?” and from what the Scripture adds, “For he knew that from envy they had delivered Him.”  Jesus, however, is at all times assailed by false witnesses, and, while wickedness remains in the world, is ever exposed to accusation.  And yet even now He continues silent before these things, and makes no audible answer, but places His defense in the lives of His genuine disciples, which are a preëminent testimony, and one that rises superior to all false witness, and refutes and overthrows all unfounded accusations and charges.

Origen, Against Celsus, I.1-2

Do you see what He is first asked—which thing most of all they were continually bringing forward in every way?  For since they saw Pilate making no account of the matters of the law, they direct their accusation to the state charges.  So likewise they did in the case of the apostles, ever bringing forward these things and saying that they were going about proclaiming king one Jesus, speaking as of a mere man, and investing them with a suspicion of treason.… But all things they put forth and manipulated in order to bring Him to death.

What then did Christ say to Pilate’s question?  “You have said so.”  He confessed that He was a king, but a heavenly king, which He spoke more clearly elsewhere in replying to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.”  Neither they nor this man should have an excuse for accusing Him of such things.  And He gives a reason that cannot be doubted, saying, “If I was of this world, my servants would fight, that I should not be handed over.”  For this reason, in order to refute this suspicion, He both paid a tax and commanded others to pay it.  And when they would make Him a king, He fled.

Why then did he not bring forward these things at that time, when accused of treason? Because having the proofs beyond number from His acts: of His power, His meekness, His gentleness.  They were willfully blind, and dealt unfairly, and the tribunal was corrupt.  For these reasons then He replies to nothing, but holds His peace, yet answering briefly (so as not to get the reputation of arrogance from continual silence) when the high priest adjured Him and when the governor asked.  But in reply to their accusations He no longer said anything, for He was not now likely to persuade them.

John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 86.1

If It Be Possible ... Nevertheless

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”  And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”  And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”  (Mt 26:36-39)

His words “if it be possible” referred not only to God’s power but also to his justice.  As to God’s power, whatever is just or unjust is possible.  As to his justice, which is not only powerful but also just, not everything is possible—only that which is just.

Origen, Commentary on Matthew 95

By saying then, “If it be possible, let it pass from me,” he showed his true humanity.  But by saying, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as you will,” he showed his virtue and self-command.  This too teaches us, even when nature pulls us back, to follow God.  In order to make clear that he is truly God and truly human, words alone would not suffice.  Deeds were needed.  So he joined deeds with words in order that even those who have been highly contentious may believe that he both became man and died.  Admittedly, some still do not believe that this was so.  But many more would have been unable to have believed if his face had not been seen at Gethsemane.  See in how many ways he shows the reality of the incarnation.  He demonstrates both by what he speaks and by what he suffers.

John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 83.1

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!  See!  Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”  (Mt 23:37-39)

Then He directs His speech unto the city, in this way too being minded to correct His hearers, and says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!”  What does the repetition mean?  This is the manner of one pitying her, and bemoaning her, and greatly loving her.  For, like a woman much beloved, herself indeed ever loved, but who had despised Him that loved her, and therefore on the point of being punished, He pleads, being now about to inflict the punishment, which He does in the prophets also, using these words, “I said, Turn to me, and she returned not.”

Then having called her, He tells also her blood-stained deeds, “You who kills the prophets, and stones those that are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered your children together, and you would not,” in this way also pleading for His own dealings:

Not even with these things have you turned Me aside, nor withdrawn Me from My great affection toward you, but it was My desire even so, not once or twice, but often to draw you unto Me.

“For how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks, and you would not.”  And this He says, to show that they were scattering themselves by their sins.  And His affection He indicates by the comparison, for indeed the creature is warm in its love towards its brood.  And everywhere in the prophets is this same image of the wings, and in the song of Moses and in the Psalms, indicating His great protection and care.

“But you would not,” He says. “Behold your house is left desolate,” stripped of the protection which comes from Me.  Surely it was the same, who also was before protecting them, and holding them together, and preserving them; surely it was He who was chastening them.  And He appoints a punishment, which they had dreaded exceedingly; for it declared the entire overthrow of their polity.

John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 74.3

It All Hangs on These

But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.  Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”  Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  (Mt 22:34-40 NKJV)

Our Savior, Lawgiver, and Lord, was once asked, “What is the first commandment?”  His reply was “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”  And He added “This is the first commandment: and the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Then He said further “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

He then who keeps these, according to the definition of the Lord, plainly fulfills the Law, and he who transgresses them is guilty of transgressing the whole Law.  Let us then examine, before the exact and righteous tribunal of our conscience, whether we have fulfilled the divine commandments.  Now the first is kept by him who guards the faith given by God in its integrity, who abominates its assailants as enemies of the truth and hates heartily all those who hate the beloved.  And the second by him who most highly esteems the care of his neighbor and who, not only in prosperity but also in apparent misfortunes, observes the laws of friendship.  They, on the other hand, who look after their own safety, as they suppose, who on its account make little of the laws of friendship and take no heed of their friends when assaulted and attacked, are reckoned to belong to the number of the wicked and of them that are without.  The Lord of all requires better things at the hands of His disciples.  “Love” He says “your enemies, for if you love those who love you, what reward have you?  For the sinners and the publicans do this.”

Theodoret of Cyrus, Letter to Theoctistus, Bishop of Berea

Christ Cleanses the Temple

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.  He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”  (Mt 21:12-13)

And what reason had He for doing this and saying, and vindicating His house, if He did preach another God?  But that He might point out the transgressors of His Father’s law; for neither did He bring any accusation against the house, nor did He blame the law, which He had come to fulfill; but He reproved those who were putting His house to an improper use, and those who were transgressing the law.  And therefore the scribes and Pharisees, too, who from the times of the law had begun to despise God, did not receive His Word, that is, they did not believe on Christ.…

But as many as feared God, and were anxious about His law, these ran to Christ, and were all saved.  For He said to His disciples: “Go to the sheep of the house of Israel, which have perished.”  And many more Samaritans, it is said, when the Lord had tarried among them, two days, “believed because of His words, and said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we ourselves have heard [Him], and know that this man is truly the Savior of the world.”  And Paul likewise declares, “And so all Israel shall be saved;” but he has also said, that the law was our guardian to Christ Jesus.  Let them not therefore ascribe to the law the unbelief of certain [ones].  For the law never hindered them from believing in the Son of God; no, but it even exhorted them so to do, saying that men can be saved in no other way from the old wound of the serpent than by believing in Him who, in the likeness of sinful flesh, is lifted up from the earth upon the tree of martyrdom, and draws all things to Himself, and vivifies the dead.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV.2.7-8

From Death to Life

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus.  He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.  And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock.  And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’  Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.”  Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”  So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.  (Matt 27:57-66)

“O sorrow dread, our God is dead,” wrote the hymnist Johann Rist.  The rich man Joseph obtains Jesus’ body. He wraps our dead Lord.  Joseph lays the holy One—the embodiment of Life itself—on a bed of death.  Death is made holy by Jesus’ passion.  The grave is now sanctified for Christians.  Jesus didn’t remain there. His Father’s will was to bring Him through death to life.  Easter is coming.  Jesus proclaims victory in Satan’s face and to those in hell. He is risen.  Joy is near.

O Lord, you have sanctified all of life for me.  By Your death and resurrection, Grant that I may fear the grave as little as I fear my pillow.  Amen.

Around the Word Devotions, Apr 4, 2015

Bearing Suffering and Sin

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.  And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.  They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.  Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”  So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”… So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.  So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.  There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.  (John 19:1-5, 16-18)

Ecce Homo, behold the Man! Pilate says.  He hangs whipped, bloodied, and beaten.  His brow drips blood and sweat.  The cruel cross is the glorious throne of your dying King.  He dies for sin, big and little alike.  Consider the weight of that glory, of His holy sufferings for you.  He empties the cup of God’s wrath to the dregs for you.  Love is costly.  But all is paid by this dying King.  “It is finished,” hear Him cry.  Your sin goes with Him.  He wins the world’s salvation.  Trust this Man, this Jesus!  His holy sufferings are your salvation.

O dearest Jesus, grant that in Your holy wounds I find forgiveness of my sin and peace of conscience. Amen.

Around the Word Devotions, Apr 3, 2015

        Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
        In my place condemned He stood;
        Sealed my pardon with His blood.
        Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

Forgiveness and Assurance

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.  And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.  Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”  (Mark 14:22-25)

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus gave of Himself to the disciples.  From the washing of feet (John 13:1-20) to prayer on their behalf to the Father (John 17:1-26), the entire evening was a time to build up and prepare these men for what would shortly take place.  In the middle of their meal, the disciples received a most unexpected and precious gift—“This is my body…this is my blood.”  Based on conversation and conduct yet that evening, they missed the import of these words.

Our Lord desired that all men be united with Him as He was with the Father.  This could only be accomplished by feeding on Christ, a subject to which Jesus alluded months before (John 6:51-55).  One must partake of Him.  Some disciples understood this was a hard teaching, even offensive (John 6:60-61).  How do we understand this?  Hilary of Poitiers helps when he writes:

As to the truth of the flesh and blood [of Jesus’ body] there is no room left for doubt.  For now both from the declaration of the Lord Himself and our own faith, it is truly flesh and truly blood.  And these when eaten and drunk, bring it to pass that both we are in Christ and Christ in us.  (On the Trinity, 8.14)

Feeding on the body and blood, then, effectively unites us with Him and assures us of forgiveness.  It is to this we return as we take the bread and cup, and continually “taste and see that the Lᴏʀᴅ is good” certain that “Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Ps 34:8).

Prayer through Suffering

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.  And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  (Luke 22:39-40)

Judas, soldiers, death.  The only preparation for this devilish onslaught is prayer to His heavenly Father.  “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me.  Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”  He leaves His own desires at the Father’s throne.  The Father’s will has been clear for the ages.  It is to love fallen man.  So Jesus must bear that cup of suffering.  The angel helps Him, though He drops sweat like blood in the face of this agony.  He will win salvation.  He will conquer death.  He will do His Father’s will.  Even in His humble state, He is resolute to win your salvation.

O Lord, help me to deny myself and bear my cross.  Amen.

Around the Word Devotions, Apr 1, 2015

Faith in Spite of Betrayal

And they went to a place called Gethsemane.  And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.  And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”  And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you.  Remove this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.”  And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep?  Could you not watch one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.  And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him.  And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?  It is enough; the hour has come.  The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man.  Seize him and lead him away under guard.”  And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!”  And he kissed him.  And they laid hands on him and seized him.  But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.  And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?  Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.  But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”  And they all left him and fled.  (Mark 14:32-50)

The chief priest and scribes sought to kill Him.  Judas Iscariot sold his Savior for filthy lucre.  Peter, James, and John fall asleep.  “The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.”  The disciples and a young man flees.  The leadership of the Jews finds Jesus guilty.  Peter denies three times.  The soldiers mock, not protect.  Jesus dies for betrayers, for weak-willed men and women alike.  Even for you He died, for your sin.  Now take up your baptism today.  No more the betrayer, no more weak-willed Christians, no more cowering before men, only trust in God.  By faith, you are innocent with Christ’s innocence.

Lord I believe, help Thou my unbelief.  Amen.

Around the Word Devotions, Mar 31, 2015

Anointed for Glorification

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.  Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair.  The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”  He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.  Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.  For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

“Now is my soul troubled.  And what shall I say?  ‘Father, save me from this hour’?  But for this purpose I have come to this hour.  Father, glorify your name.”  Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”  The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered.  Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”  Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.  Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.  And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”  (John 12:1-8, 27-32)

When God created day and night, He created time.  But it was not long until the fall into sin.  The days of the darkness of man’s sin were long.  The days had to be fulfilled.  Time marched on until finally Jesus’ hour had come.  His hour was the time of His glorification.  It was a shameful death for a glorious King.  By this death, your shameful sins are covered.  Jesus is lifted up on the cross, and now draws you to Himself by His grace.  Now and for eternity, you are His.

O Lord, in your hour, you were glorified in death.  Help me to trust in your death for me as my salvation.  Amen.

Around the Word Devotions, Mar 30, 2015

Riding On to Die

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.  Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”  This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

    “Say to the daughter of Zion,
    ‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
        humble, and mounted on a donkey,
        on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.  Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”  (Matt 21:1-9)

Now You have glory and the people in your hands, O Lord.  They sing hosannas and cling to your words.  They strew palm branches before You.  They welcome You as King—greater than Caesar—riding on a beast of peace.  This holy week is different.  This holy week leads to Your end.  “In lowly pomp, ride on to die.”  Flesh is fickle, slow to believe.  Many in the crowds will cry “Crucify Him, crucify Him” at week’s end.  You are our humble King, who goes to the cross to die in our place.  Baptized we too have died to sin, once for all.

Keep us, O Lord, in your death and resurrection, that we might be found faithful in the day of judgment.  Amen.

Around the Word Devotions, Mar 29, 2015