Journey into God's Heart ~ Matthew 27:11-54 ~ Sunday of the Passion

How could it be that Jesus came into Jerusalem with a hero’s welcome, only to be led out as a condemned criminal just five days later?

How could it be that the crowds would choose to have a notorious prisoner released, instead of one who committed no crimes?

How could it be that the Son of God would die?

The answers to these questions lead us deep into our own hearts, where we come face-to-face with the most painful truths about ourselves.

We share in the guilt of those who denied Jesus, who deserted Jesus, who betrayed Jesus, who despised Jesus, and who afflicted upon Jesus the utmost in cruelty.

To hear this most certainly brings out from us the kind of denials Jesus heard from his own disciples on the night of his Last Supper, when he said, “one of you will betray me.”

We all love Jesus.  We can’t imagine ourselves doing such a thing.

But his disciple Judas hands him over to be killed.

All the rest scatter and run when he’s arrested.

His disciple Peter denies knowing him three times.

And who were the people who plotted against him?  People who studied the same Scriptures and worshipped the same God.

So when we hear of the crowds rejecting Jesus called Christ for Jesus Barabbas, we must bear in mind that we reject him just the same.  Every day, in fact…

Much of the time, our rejection of Jesus is hidden from our awareness, and is instead deeply embedded in habits.  It’s embedded in our ambitions and our desires.  We reject Jesus when we’re afraid; when we feel he’s let us down.   It’s easiest to reject Jesus when he brings us face to face with our sin.  When we sin, we trample on others and to get our way.  We deny Jesus his authority over our lives.  Then we’re standing before Pontius Pilate, yelling “crucify him!”

But who do we see before our eyes?  We see a Jesus who does not reject us for rejecting him.  We see a Jesus who gives his life for sinners.  We also see a Jesus who is full of compassion for those who are hurting; those who are weak; and those whom society counts as nothing.  Jesus claims us as his own, in spite of our weaknesses, our foolishness, and our lack of faith in him. 

This is why we are invited to walk with Jesus to his cross—because the journey to the cross is the journey into the heart of God, who is full of love, mercy, and forgiveness.  But first, we must take up our crosses and follow him.  We must die to our selfish desires and ambitions.  We must die to possessions.   We must die to our need for security, success, and winning everyone’s approval. 

But first, Jesus puts to death our guilt, our shame, and our fear about what the future may hold.  Our weaknesses and our failings no longer dominate our existence.  To die in Christ is to live in Christ and through him.  There is no one who will be rejected, no matter how much you’ve rejected Christ.

So on this Holy Week, walk with Jesus in the freedom he gives you from sin’s deadly grip.  Remember him and think upon the life he gives for you.  Let his love both form and transform you and the desires of your heart.  Walk in his ways; trust in his promises.  For to live in Christ is to serve in Christ and ultimately, to rise in Christ.