The Chief Priests and the Elders of Jerusalem had gathered. They were worried about the influence that this guy named Jesus was going to have on the people there for the Passover. Jerusalem was a busy place this time of the year. It would be similar to going to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, just less the decadence of the revelers of our modern day.
Although, one has to wonder if there wasn't a different type of decadence going on even in Jerusalem.
What were the elders worried about? This is just one man. Were they worried about Jesus' "sway" He might have on the immense income that they would rake in at the Temple as people poured into their city for this annual festival? Were they truly concerned for the families of the gathering, that He might cause a riot and people could be hurt? Or - was it pure jealousy for the stronghold they had had over the people for these years - that it was about to be broken by this one man?
They were on the verge of losing control, a certain power they held over so many.
He must have been a very powerful man to cause such concern among the Sanhedrin.
But - this guy was from a relatively small town: Nazareth. Can anything good come out of such a place?
He held the esteem of being a simple village carpenter. He welded the power over tables and chairs and an occasional plow and doorpost. Why was that such a challenge to the mighty establishment of Jerusalem?
He sought no power, for three years prior, it had been offered to Him by the devil himself and He refused.
His strength and faith came only from above. One in the Sanhedrin knew this and knew it well. Nicodemus, who came to Jesus "by stealth himself" (in the night so that he wouldn't been seen with Jesus lest he might lose his place in the Order) learned that one "...must be born from above..." (John 3:7b) It is the way of God, a way that the leaders of Jerusalem had lost.
As we quickly approach Holy Week again, how shall we approach it? With all the vim and vigor of having to go and buy new Easter clothes and eggs for dying and hams for baking? Or, can we find many moments in the week to stop - to Sabbath - and recall what God is doing in this blessed story? Shall we succumb to the world and lose sight of the real power that exists in the world-a power that is not like anything that the world has ever known or sought after?
It is the power of compassion for one another. It is the supremacy of peace that we can offer to someone who has less. It is the authority and clout of love that we wield that shows itself in the sharing of what we have with those in need. There is the real and most honest power you will ever see.
Fear not the stealth of the world. God has defeated it with the resurrection! He has conquered the almighty attempts of the world to continue to dominate our lives and our faith in Jesus Christ. Again, they will not win.
So - try to pause this coming week. Discover this new-found power of God. How will it move you and your loved ones?
The end result will be peace. A sense of deep satisfaction. A sense of grace that surrounds our lives and permeates our existence to where we see a new power: the power of love.
Remember, God loves you and so do we!
Pastor Jim
P.S. THANK YOU ALL for your prayers for Mary Alice's brother, Robin Barnett, who successfully received a new heart this past week at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He is doing well. Again, thank you for your prayers!
