Heavenly Civics: Luke 13:31-35 - Second Sunday in Lent

³¹At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus,] “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³²He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ ³⁴Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ” (NRSV)

Photo courtesy of Ryan Pusch

I once heard Pittsburgh described as the “City with an Entrance.” Growing up in the South Hills, any trip to Downtown Pittsburgh required going through either the Liberty Tubes or the Fort Pitt Tunnels. It was almost magical how the tunnels took you from the suburbs into the city.

Even Leechburg has an entrance. Coming down South Leechburg hill, you can see nearly the entire town nestled on the hillside. Cross over the bridge and you’re in town. Coming into town from the East, you’re greeted with a landmark we all know and love.

Imagine, then, traveling into ancient Jerusalem—the City of Peace. It was literally God’s Hometown; the place where heaven meets earth, thanks to the mighty, magnificent temple. Pilgrims came from far and wide to worship and celebrate the Passover. Jesus had made many pilgrimages there during his lifetime—first as an infant; later as a young man, traveling with his parents.

But just outside the city walls, you see people being crucified.

Crucifixions functioned a lot like modern-day billboards—to remind everyone that Jerusalem was under Roman control. Crucifixions weren’t just capital punishments. They were murders with a message—mess with the Empire and this is where you will end up.

So why is Jesus so determined to go to Jerusalem?

He doesn’t go there to escape King Herod, even though Jerusalem was outside his jurisdiction.

Jesus knows that God’s prophets have been killed there, including Isaiah. He knows the city has become infested with corruption and violence.

One would expect that Jesus would call down fire upon the city like it’s Sodom and Gomorrah. Better yet, Jesus would march into town as a conquering warrior, to kick out the Romans, purge it of all its evil elements, and make it holy again. But as we know, Jesus does neither. Instead, he weeps for the city.

Then, Jesus proceeds directly into the belly of the beast. And along the way, he heals the sick; he engages his opponents; he blesses children; he casts out demons; and he proclaims God’s grace. What really gets him in trouble is that he loves all the wrong people—and refuses to bow to the religious establishment that’s in cahoots with the Empire.

In the Roman world, crooks and murderers don’t get crucified. They aren’t worth the trouble. Rome crucifies those who challenge the social order—which is what Jesus does, by speaking God’s truth and raising up the wrong people.

All this begs the question: what does Jesus lament about 21^st century America? What does he lament about the Kiski Valley, and all the places we call home? Who are the enemies of the cross Paul speaks about in our second reading, and what are they doing?

I ask this, because it’s so easy to fall into the trap of claiming Jesus for our side(s) in the Culture Wars that have taken over everything. All across this country, the enemies of the cross are identified as the people who do this, believe that, and vote one political party over the other. It’s always easier to call someone else out as a sinner than to own your own sin. It’s fun, too—because you can feel very powerful shaming and excluding people. That’s what Romans do…

In the empire,

• The rich and powerful are exalted and the poor are expendable. Might makes right. Greed is good. Patience, mercy, and forgiveness are for the weak.
• If you are important, you can’t be bothered to help someone in need. God only helps those who help themselves.
• In the Empire, it’s a privilege for the strong and powerful to be able to shame the poor and vulnerable. Only the honorable get to decide who’s in and who’s out. It’s inclusion for some; alienation for most.

Empire values are not Christian values or church values. And all too often, we choose to embrace empire values, believing that they will give us power, privilege, and security.

But guess what? Jesus loves Romans, too. And Jesus sets his face towards Jerusalem, where he’s going to die, because he knows his sacrificial death will turn people’s hearts towards God. He sets his face towards Jerusalem, because he knows that mercy, forgiveness, and grace are ultimately more powerful than Roman values. He lays down his life in order to conquer death and the devil. He lays down his life to set you free from everything and everyone that would deprive you of life and love.

Lent is the time for you to set your face towards Jerusalem so that you may see and know more deeply the love Jesus has for the world; your value to him as a child of God, and your neighbor’s value to him as a child of God.

You may live in this world, but you are a citizen of heaven. Live by the values by which you are valued. Let grace live in you as you serve someone who doesn’t deserve it. Let generosity live in you as give away something you never thought you could do without. Let mercy live in you as you forgive someone who didn’t ask for it. Let faith live in you as you hit pause on your busy schedule to spend quality time with Jesus.

Jesus wants for our communities (and all communities) to be known not for the crime, drugs, poverty, or decay, but for the love and hope he brings in through his church. When people come down the hills into town and they see our church at the corner of Market and Main, everyone ought to know that they are entering a community full of people who love so much.