The Aging Process

Besides the Triumphal Entry, mostly this week I've been pondering the aging process. I've been dealing with some health problems in my father. He is scheduled for surgery in Birmingham next week related to a lymphoma condition he's had for several years. In watching him recently I have made these observations:

1. Gosh, my dad really looks like HIS dad, when he got old and frail.
2. So, I looked carefully in the mirror, and to my dismay, I saw my dad. A younger, more virile dad, of course.
3. When I look at my 21 year old son, of course, I see me. Men never mature much past age 21 anyway. And we think we can still do any and everything physically.
4. I wonder what my son sees?

The world turns. We become our parents. Then we have to parent our parents. Then it turns again.

The Triumphal Entry

This week, I've been pondering the whole bizarre parade that happened on Palm Sunday. I know this is a week early, but my co-teacher has something else planned for the Sunday before Easter. Stations of the Cross, or some such un-Baptist sort of thing. Actually, I'm curious what he's putting together.

See Matthew 21:1-17

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2021:1-17;&version=31;

Here's the conundrum for this week. Did Jesus really think they were going to make him some kind of king that day? Did he really know that only 5 days later these same crowds would be shouting "Crucify". If he really did know what was coming, then why did he let the crowds carry on as they did?

Here's what I think. Since he rode the donkey, he was obviously alluding to Zechariah 9:9. The broader context talks about a coming King who will bring peace. Hence, I think he was trying to convey that his kingdom would bring peace.

Since he let them praise him at all, with all the "hosannas", I think he was saying, "Yes, I'm the Savior," though perhaps not the savior they expected.

Then, he went beserk, overturing tables and tossing out the money changers. Then Jesus himself quoted Isaiah 56

Isaiah 56:6-8
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-- 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." 8 The Sovereign LORD declares-- he who gathers the exiles of Israel: "I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered."

I think this emphasizes the point that Jesus meant his new kingdom for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike.

Then, he healed some folks. Reminds me of the time John the Baptis sent a group to check on Jesus. (He was in jail.) He said, are you the ONE, or should we look for another. Jesus said,

"Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." MT 11

Sound like he was saying, Yeah, it's me. Just look at the evidence.

Then, the religious leaders blast Jesus for allowing even the children to praise him. He quotes the eighth Psalm:

Psalms 8:1-2
1 O LORD , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Interesting, isn't it, that he claims this passage for himself, basically claiming equality with God the Father? Recently I heard the renowned atheist, Christopher Hitchens, at a debate. He suggested that Jesus of Nazareth never claimed to be anything other than a regular man. It seems to me that a careful reading of the Palm Sunday events shows that Jesus clearly claimed to be a king, the Messiah, and equal with God himself.

As we approach Easter, let us give him the worship he deserves.