Birth. Death.
Peace on earth. Peace in heaven.
Understanding. Division.
Proclamation. Silence.
Temptation. Trust.
Luke narrates the life and death of Jesus in such a way as to compel us to wonder, to lament, and to look forward to the ever-surprising joy, peace, and power of Easter morning.
Scene 1: As Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a multitude of the heavenly host greeted shepherds in the night, responding to the good news of great joy that a Savior had been born, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace.”
Now, as Jesus enters Jerusalem on the way to his death, it’s a multitude not of angels but of disciples praising God, responding to all the deeds of power that they’ve seen, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven…!”
It’s as though the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem completes the circle that began the night he was born. Angels proclaim with great joy the birth of a Savior, offering the blessing of peace on earth; shepherds share the good news and all who hear them are amazed; the baby grows, living a life filled with deeds of power; disciples respond with joy, praising God, naming Jesus as King, and offering the blessing of peace in heaven.
From heaven, to earth, to heaven again — the good news resounds completely.
Scene 2: The baby Jesus grows up, is baptized, and is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. For 40 days he’s tested by the devil. “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” “If you worship me, this will all be yours.” “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. The angels will protect you.”
In Jerusalem, facing the wilderness of betrayal, arrest, and suffering, Jesus is again tested three times. First by the leaders gathered near his cross: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah…!” Then by the soldiers: “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” And finally, by one of the two criminals hanging next to him: “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
The temptation is the same – in the beginning and at the end – walk away from your mission to trust God and to love the world and instead save yourself.
Again, it’s a full-circle moment. The temptation that launched Jesus’ ministry as a baptized child of God returns as his ministry concludes. Where before it was a singular adversary in the wilderness, now Jesus is accosted by that adversary’s voice showing up in all manner of people as he endures the spiritual wilderness of death on a cross.
The good news – peace in heaven and peace on earth – is threatened again by forces of evil. Then and now, Jesus remains resolute in his proclamation and embodiment of God’s love not just for him, or for those who prove themselves worthy, or for those wealthy and powerful by earthly measures but for the whole world.
Scene 3: As Jesus is baptized, a voice comes from heaven: “You are my Son, the Beloved.” As Jesus breathes his last, it’s his voice that calls out to heaven: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
The love of the parent is revealed, once more, in the son’s capacity to trust. Only one so loved could so wholeheartedly love in response – even in death. Only one so loved could bring to birth such good news. Only one so loved could repeatedly provoke the powers of evil, threatening their self-professed superiority so much that there was no way forward for them but to try to put him to death forever. Only one so loved could rise again.
United with Jesus in the waters of baptism, we are so loved.
So loved by God, we are empowered to love wholeheartedly. So loved by God, we are born to embody good news. So loved by God, we are called to provoke and threaten the powers of evil. So loved by God, we are raised to new life – peaceful, joyful, powered-by-love life. Thanks be to God. Amen.