Key Scripture: John 12:20-50
In John’s Gospel, chapter 12 marks the final moments of Jesus’ public ministry before he retreats with the disciples to the Upper Room and spends several chapters ministering to “his own” (John 13:1-6). Some believe that the early moments of John 13 may have occurred on Tuesday evening, though others place John 13-17 on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 21:12-22; Mark 11:1-14; 14:3-11; Luke 19:45-46; John 12:1-11
On this second day of the week, scholars and church tradition place the anointing of Jesus with oil at Bethany here, along with the cursing of the fig tree and cleansing of the Temple. We also discover in John’s Gospel that some leaders are planning to kill Lazarus – Jesus’ friend he had raised from the dead (John 11) – because Lazarus’ testimony was leading too many people to believe in Jesus!
Key Scriptures: Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-19; Luke 19:28-47; John 12:12-19
This first day of Holy Week or the Passion is a moment of celebration as Jesus fulfills prophecy and receives worship. In these moments of celebration, Jesus surprises all around with his humility – riding on a young donkey – and his authority – commending the worship of the crowd and cleansing the Temple.
Lent is about reflection and sacrifice, pondering Jesus’ pathway to the Cross, and our submission to God’s will. In many Christian traditions, there are specific calls for fasting and diet restrictions, extra times of prayer, and works of charity. All of these matter and I commend all believers as they respond to their understanding the Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In this essay, I will share some fresh Lenten thoughts regarding our response to current cultural, pollical, and spiritual issues. Personally, I am not offering extensive commentaries of USA politics until after Trinity Sunday, the true end of the Eastertide cycle on the church calendar. I sense (for me) that I need to allow more time to pass before commenting, as so much of what we see is “the art of the deal” and will find its center in the months ahead. I am pleased and displeased with current initiatives and will offer historical and prospective thoughts in the future.
As I pen this essay two days after President Trump’s inauguration, I am aware of half the country being hopeful, even ecstatic and the other half feeling dejected and deeply concerned. The following insights are those of a Christian leader and public intellectual that appreciates the American ethos of freedom in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This historically unprecedented Amendment includes: