"Behold, the world has gone after Him."

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, a preaching and worship service I always look forward to. There is such contrast and irony in Jesus' last week of ministry from this Sunday to Friday, that it presents an opportunity for a preacher that seems to jump off the page.

Now in readying for this story I am drawn to the words spoken by the Pharisees and recorded in John's gospel, chapter 12. Verse 19 reads, So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him." And though these words are spoken from anger, jealously, fear and distrust - and likely as hyperbole or sarcastic exaggeration to make their point, I know in large measure - at least in Western Culture, what was spoken became true. For think of it! What might our world be like had this, following after Christ, not become so?

May I start by asking that we consider art?  Or, how about music, medicine, exploration and science? Imagine any one of these without a devotion for Christ as their motive - not to mention the oft applied subject of God's creation and design. Imagine our moral and ethical code, or law and our views of individual liberty and freedom without the influence prompted by Christ.  More-so, imagine theology without first the salvation experiences of Paul, or John Calvin; or church practice and Christian home-life without the convictions of Luther; or social justice without the teaching, methodology and practice outlined by Wesley. In modern times, consider the abolitionist movement void of Christians, might it have even occurred?  Or, our American Civil Rights movement without the leadership of Christ-follower, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Indeed, history records that it is from those who have chosen to follow after Christ though whom we have realized our greatest change. 

Are there alternative examples to consider? Those not so good - such as those horrific examples of abuse in the 'name' of Christ? Unfortunately, yes, but these are before us only in name - and not from hearts set upon Him and warmed by His grace. History records the difference. So that I stand today as one who is grateful over the proclaimed prophetic 'truth' by the Pharisees - albeit un-intentioned - as they cried, 'behold the world has gone after Him."   

But... there is something more in this proclamation. Jesus, from Luke's gospel at chapter 19, responding to the Pharisees over this very complaint and attitude, i.e. "Teacher rebuke your disciples" - said this: “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Lk. 19:39-40) Which is a reminder, I believe, of God's Word concerning the ultimate, intended honor of His only begotten Son. One we dare never forget. For though we might 'feel' the world has turned from God, and from Christ and His gospel, we should be encouraged with the truth of what it is that God has done, and by what will one day be so - even into eternity: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Yes, God's esteem of the Son will be so! Entering Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday, over shouts of Hosanna, Jesus could hear the cries of the Pharisees from the rooftops -  'the world has gone after him.' And... responding to their derision and rebuke, not in spite but in truth, from His rightful place of - not just a donkey -  but God's throne, said plainly... I will not! 

For... 

Down from glory He came. Bearing my sin and my shame. 

'The world,' they complained.  'Silence,' they exclaimed. 

But "No," Christ replied. This shall not be denied.
For my Father has decreed this as so.    

Hosanna, indeed!  

Pastor Sam