February 13
Ex 35:10-36:38 | PS 34:1-10 | Prov 9:7-8 | Matt 27:32-66
We all know that when Jesus returns every eye will see Him as He boldly will come across the heavens and touch down on earth in the battle of Armageddon. But I shudder to think how things would look if Jesus came to us more like He did the first time. How many of those who claim to love Him, exalt Him, would indeed reject Him for not fitting into what they think He should be. We must be very careful before we state boldly, "not me!" Everyone, and that is the overwhelming majority of Christians have never bothered to seriously open their bible and therefore have come to know the Jesus fashioned by others rather than the true Jesus as depicted in the Word of God. Many of those who have gone to seminary have adopted theological positions which they adhere to with tenacity. Though their positions differ from those in other seminaries they lift these positions up. If Jesus came and revealed their positions to be false, how many would reject the real Jesus rather than humble themselves and admit they were wrong. How many churches steeped in liberal theology would not accept His orthodox stances on sin? How many churches which have adopted anti-Semitic positions would reject Him for being Jewish? How many would reject Him for He not humbling Himself before their elected church leaders? How many simply wouldn't care because it might interfere with their day-to-day activities which blind them from anything other than their own inflated lives? As we read through the very familiar account of the cross, may we pause and consider if it would look that much different now than it did then.
In Matthew 27, we read a series of events surrounding the beating and crucifixion of our suffering, humble servant and savior, Jesus, by different groups who all assessed the situation incorrectly. On the surface, Jesus appeared defenseless before the sheer power and authority of the Jewish religious leaders, the Roman authorities and military, and King Herod. We know that Jesus took on and allowed this position as He told Peter in Matthew 26:53, "Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?" So, as we see Jesus put on trial before the mock court of the Sanhedrin and then the Roman governor, Pilate, and choose to remain quiet in Matthew 27:11-14, and then before the crowds as he is placed next to Barabbas, or when He is scourged, beaten and mocked by the Roman soldiers in 27:26-31, or when hanging on the cross as He continues to be mocked and ridiculed by those passing by the cross along with the religious leaders assembled in 27:39-44, it appears that Jesus was on trial and that the multitude of those gathered were clearly in charge. But as in the previous examples in the first paragraph, things are not always what they seem. For He who was beaten and crucified was none other than the Judge of the universe. In reality, those assembled and partaking in His beating and death would one day come before Jesus and be judged for what they did, unless they chose to repent before their death.
We should all be careful how we size things up from a human standpoint. Like Jesus, we are to adopt the position of humble servants and no matter what earthly position we might achieve we better never forget it. Those in positions of authority or power must remember what Jesus said, that "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted". This attitude can only be achieved if we are in a true relationship with Jesus and see ourselves in comparison to Him. Compared to Him, we are ants. Compared to Him we are covered with filth from head to toe. Compared to Him we are deserving of nothing, not even our next breath. The only answer to pride and self-exaltation is a personal relationship with our Savior and Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only through this relationship that we can stop assessing the world from an earthly standpoint and begin seeing it as He would like us to see it.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: