Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I flicked through the opening verses of a few of Paul’s letters and toward the beginning of each was this same greeting/blessing/declaration.
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he adds … “who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen
Paul reminds us of Jesus’ Easter purpose in one powerful sentence. Jesus was the Father’s plan from the beginning – to give himself as a sacrifice, to exchange his life for ours – to rescue us from ‘the present age’ the age of human self-reign and self-rule under the influence of ‘the enemy of man’ and incorporate us into His reign and rule in His dominion.
I am writing this letter with much on my mind. Easter is upon us, this time when we gather together in awe and wonder and the goodness of God expressed through His Son Jesus. Yet we only gather online, or in small family pockets, hiding away from an enemy, encouraging one another, and praying in hope of a better future for ourselves and our loved ones. On good days we may even be able to look past ourselves and extend our concern and prayer to our neighbourhood, region, state and country.
While I was considering what to share with you this week I began to wonder what Jesus was doing on the nights before ‘Good Friday’. Since we are following the gospel of John through this season I turned back to see what it was that occupied Jesus before he fulfilled the will of our God and Father.
John 12 has Jesus ridding into Jerusalem to the praise of an adoring crowd and him predicting his death. We hear ‘to gain our life we must lose it” and follow Him, serve as He served. Though Jesus is troubled by what lies before him (v27) he agrees with the Father’s plan “it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” (v 27, 28), “not to judge the world but to save the world” (v47). In John 13 Jesus demonstrates what it means to be a servant King by washing the disciples feet. It is closer now – it is nearly the day of his betrayal.
What does Jesus do? Instead of seeking the comfort of his disciples he comforts them – he tells them of their future together that is beyond their comprehension. (14:1-4) Then he reaffirms a truth that they will hold dear – ‘their Jesus in the way to the Father’, in fact ‘if you have seen Jesus you have seen His Father’. (14:6,7) Jesus reveals a future reality – when he leaves another will come -Holy Spirit (14:26 & 15ff). In chapter 15 he lays down a stunning command, not a suggestion but command “Love each other as I have loved you” (15:12).
Then as the hour draws nearer – what does Jesus do? He prays! In Chapter 17 of John’s gospel Jesus prays, he prays for himself that He might be glorified. That his actions might bring “life to all those given him”, that all who know him might know the Father, and that the Father might be with him as he finishes the work he was given to do.
Then he turns his affection in prayer toward his disciples asking his father to protect them by the power of his holy name (17:11,15). Finally he turns his affection toward all believers – he petitions his father praying, “I want those you have given me to be where I am” and for now that the love the Father has for him may be in them/us. (17:26)
I remember watching the movie ‘Bucket List’, a movie about two old guys at the end of their days trying to tick off the things on their bucket list. Their focus was mostly about themselves. Probably a not unfamiliar practice or hope. Yet Jesus, by contrast as his time comes close, his focus is on fulfilling the will of the Father and bring glory to His name. His focus is on those whom he loves – those close to him and those who follow him. He turns his affection toward them in prayer. In the face of betrayal, accusation, trial, pain beyond imaging, and the weight of sin and brokenness – our Jesus presses into his connection with His Father in prayer – sets a course for his followers and promises a future full of hope and Holy Spirit.
Once more the depth of Jesus love for his ‘image-bearers’ – us – is on display. Once more we see how Jesus ‘strengthens himself’ for the course set before him. Once more there is much we can glean from our Jesus. Ponder this my friends! Consider what truth and love look like in Jesus and do everything you can to imitate him – especially in the face of uncertainty.
Blessings
Mark and Marie