Crucify him
by Neil Bergmann
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‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ Pilate asked. They all answered, ‘Crucify him!’ (Matthew 27:22)
Read Matthew 27:11–26
On this Palm Sunday, our reading is not about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as the Messiah, but it looks ahead a few days later to his crucifixion. The cries of ‘Hosanna’ (‘save us’) are replaced by cries of ‘Crucify him!’
This is a very appropriate way to start this week because the events of Jesus’ time in Jerusalem are best understood in the shadow of the cross of Good Friday. This week, all of Jesus’ teaching points to the looming cross and the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. This ministry has two key purposes. Firstly, Jesus’ death and resurrection provide all believers with the free gift of salvation from sin and eternal life. Secondly, through his teaching, Jesus explains his new kingdom – that topsy-turvy heavenly kingdom where the first are last, and the last are first.
As redeemed and sanctified children of the light, we are invited to live in that kingdom, here and now, on this earth. Throughout the gospels, Jesus speaks about his new kingdom and invites us to make the conscious choice, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to live in that kingdom with him.
This new kingdom is not a place free from pain and suffering. Indeed, this kingdom is defined by the pain and suffering of the cross. As we journey through this week, Jesus reveals more about what his kingdom is like. It is a kingdom of humility, meekness, grief, servant leadership and compassion. But most of all, it is a kingdom where the crucified Jesus suffers with the suffering, grieves with the grieving, and comforts the fallen. We are most authentically Christian when we dwell in that kingdom and suffer with each other, grieve with each other, and comfort each other. It is in the faces of those who suffer, those who grieve, and those who need comfort that we most clearly see the face of Jesus, the crucified Messiah, the One who saves.
‘Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ Save us from the vain temptations of this world and set our hearts on your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Neil Bergmann is currently the chair of Lutheran Earth Care, Australia and New Zealand. After retiring, he recently completed a research Master of Theology at Flinders University, Adelaide, on eco-theology. He worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale, Queensland.
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