Here we are, Passion Week before us. The crowd who cried out “Hosanna” had hoped for a mighty king to save them and put down the oppressive Roman government so that they could live in peace and freedom. They didn’t understand that the One who came on a lowly borrowed donkey would bring ultimate wholeness and lasting peace. Jesus modeled the way to transformed living (the way up) through surrender to the only One who orchestrated how the story of redemption would play out.
Immediately after the fanfare of spread-out garments and palms of praise, Jesus went into the temple and turned over the tables of the money changers. (Matthew 21) How shocking that would have been: coins clanging on the floor, birds squawking, animal sacrifices running around, men shouting angrily! Jesus sent a clear message to the greedy and powerful: “You will not turn this house of prayer into a den of robbers!” It’s not surprising that there were different reactions to this scene: the sick continued to reach out to Jesus for healing; children continued shouting “Hosanna!”. But the chief priests and teachers of the law (those who ran the temple like a business) were indignant. I love that Jesus’ words back to the greedy and powerful came from Psalm 8: “From the lips of children and infants, you, Lord, have called forth praise.” Children have a way of teaching us about humility.
We all have limited knowledge about our own futures, but Jesus had full knowledge of what would happen as He entered Jerusalem that week. He tried to communicate the plan to those who followed closely, but they just couldn’t wrap their minds around it. He never wavered from doing the next right thing, especially when it had to do with those who loved to pad their pockets or boast about money. Justice was His Father’s business. His face was turned to the Father like flint, and He proceeded on, only to be led to His death. “Not my will, but Thine” He cried out in Gethsemane soon after He had washed the feet of followers who would betray and deny Him.
The story is poignant, and it may be hard to find ourselves in it, right? We’re all, to some extent, blind and resistant to this kind of challenge to our finances. We all want to feel comfortable and safe. It’s difficult to resist a culture that says “more, bigger, better” will somehow make us happier. We’re bombarded by it on TV and social media. We have a scarcity mindset a lot of the time.
Listen to the Savior who looks lovingly at you and says, “I can work with your feeble attempts at being honest and surrendered. The temptations are real; I experienced that in the wilderness. The wealthy young ruler knew of its stronghold. Zacchaeus repented of his greed. Unclench your fists. Come to me, all who cling to the idols of security, control, and power. I have a better way.”
Lord, help us to recognize the ways in which we hold too tightly to things of this world that don’t bear fruit or give true security. Help us to release our tight-fistedness and gently open our hands to stewarding the abundance You have given us, whether it be the resources of money, possessions, time, or relationships. We realize and acknowledge it all as a gift. Make us generous people who walk the path of justice. Amen.
Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash
