As I walked through my field this morning, my heart quickened remembering that the coming evening would mark the beginning of Holy Week. I love the eight days which begin tonight . They are set apart in the liturgical year as a spiritual journey with Jesus through the last week of His life - from His entry into Jerusalem, through the last supper, the passion, crucifixion, the tomb, all the way to His resurrection. Each year the Spirit emphasizes a different part of the story, unveiling new dimensions of its beauty and power. So as I walked, I wondered what the theme of this Holy Week would be?
I am always surprised when the Spirit reads my thoughts, answering a question I have not yet put to prayer. Before I had had taken ten steps down my path, this verse came to mind.
I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! - Luke 12:49-50
It is a rare thing in scripture for Jesus to speak about His feelings. He rejoices when the 70 return from their mission. He weeps for Lazarus. He shows compassion to the sick and forgives the sinners. But for the most part, Jesus speaks about His Father. He does what He sees the Father doing. This is the first time in the gospel of Luke where Jesus speaks openly about the cost of His obedience.
“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?”
Jesus sounds frustrated, close to angry at His audience. Why? Luke begins the chapter by informing us the crowds were so dense that people were trampling upon one another. Israel was abuzz. The people were beginning to believe that Jesus might truly be the Messiah. On this point, they were correct. However, they gravely misunderstood the implications of His appearance.
Most Israelites believed that the Messiah would take his throne in Jerusalem, defeat the Romans and bring quick prosperity to the Jews. But Jesus knew that His victory would actually unleash chaos. His death and resurrection would demand a response. Believers would be divided against unbelievers. His closest friends would be put to death. His people would be scattered and the Temple would be razed. His own baptism of fire would throw the world into paroxysms of upheaval.
Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
Why did Jesus rebuke the crowds this way? Perhaps because they were so out of touch with the burden He carried. Perhaps He felt terribly alone even as the crowds pressed against Him. Perhaps He knew that if they understood the course laid out before Him and what it would cost them personally, they would no longer be interested in His teaching.
Here is the more pertinent question. What is Jesus saying to me?
I believe this Holy Week Jesus wants me to abide with Him in this distress. He wants me to discern the times rightly. Once again the earth is suffering with the brith pangs of Jesus’ victory. We are in the midst of a societal paroxysm. Families are divided in their response to the lordship of the Messiah. Hatred and accusation are rampant. But there is no going back.
All I can do this Holy Week is rejoice with Jesus that His baptism is complete. He has set the world on fire and it is burning! This is a good thing - painful as it may be. Fire destroys whatever will burn, but it purifies what remains. And Jesus knew this fire must burn before His reign would begin on earth.
Painful and frightening as these times are, it would be far worse if Jesus had not done the will of His Father. A cold, dark world without hope is far more frightening than one burning in defiance. These flames will eventually come to an end. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. He will reign and shatter the head of His foe.
I do not presume that my loved ones or I will escape these days unscathed. Those closest to Jesus at the time of His passion suffered greatly in the backlash which followed His resurrection. But they are safe now, and full of joy, having passed through the fire.
I take comfort in the tender words Jesus spoke to His followers early in this chapter.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I want my treasure to be with Jesus in His Kingdom. It is no good keeping it here, for Jesus has already set a fire on the earth.