March 7, 2004

Mindekirken, March 7, 2004
Pastor Jens Arne Dale

Luke 13. 31-35

Many times I have been walking down the narrow streets of Jerusalem where they say Jesus carried his own cross. Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering, leads to Golgatha, the place where Jesus was crucified. Every Friday pilgrims from different countries walk this route. Often they carry with them a cross to commemorate the cross that Jesus carried. They stop at different stations, read the texts about how Jesus was flogged, what he said and how he suffered. It’s not only in Jerusalem people follow prayerfully in the footsteps of Jesus on his way towards suffering. Many of us grew up with a crucifix on the wall. Here at Mindekirken we have several stained glass windows dedicated to suffering. We have learned how to sing: Nailed to a cross. We’ve heard about the suffering of Jesus in Sunday school and in church, and it’s hardly an exaggeration to say that the story of the suffering of Jesus is one of the most important stories of the Christian hemisphere.

Now the story of suffering is told again, in a way that creates public attention. I’m thinking of the Mel Gibson movie The Passion of the Christ. When I saw the film last week, it struck me that my inner images of the suffering of Jesus might have become quite pale. In a way I had been acquainted with what happened to Jesus. The movie reopened my eyes to how gruesome it was that a human was betrayed, convicted, and tortured until life came to an end. Some might see the horror of the movie as an orgy in brutality. To see a man flogged and bleeding for ten minutes is in itself not a devotion, except for those who might feel a perverted joy by identifying themselves with the hangmen. One might become sick by watching close-ups of blood and torture. In France they want to ban the film. They are afraid that anti-Semitism and hatred of Jews will flare up. Taking into consideration that previous passion plays sometimes have caused persecution of the Jews, one might understand such a demand for censoring. But as I see it, the film should give no more reason for hatred of the Jews than does the NT. The film gives a trustworthy interpretation of the gospels. It communicates that Jesus of his own free will let them capture him. We get to hear him shout: Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing. In some flashbacks we get to hear previous words by Jesus, for instance the words of the last supper which make the suffering something totally different than just pure violence. The death of Jesus is portrayed as atonement of the sin of the world. Many would say the film is a masterpiece, and I do understand people who say it was very moving to see what Jesus was willing to go through for our sake.

Today’s text deals with Jesus and Jerusalem. But it begins with a strange warning. Some Pharisees came to Jesus and warned him that Herod would kill him. It’s Herod Antipas who governed in Galilee we hear of here. He had beheaded John the Baptist, and now it looked like it was Jesus’ turn. How did Jesus react to being in danger for his life? Go and tell that fox for me… Jesus was not scared. That fox was not flatteringly said about Herod. The fox was sly, but except for that, of less value and little to pay attention to. Jesus was totally free, he never gave in to threats or pressure. He was not steered by humans, but by the plan of God. Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, Jesus said, and the next day I must be on my way, and on the third day I finish my work. Why did Jesus come to earth? To proclaim the kingdom of God. To teach men the way to God. To cure and cast out demons. This is all true, but these things belong to what Jesus did on his way. What did he mean by finishing his work? His goal was Jerusalem. There the house of God was, the temple. Jesus would meet God there, as the sacrificial lamb. Lent might be a meditative wandering with Jesus up to Jerusalem. In today’s text Jesus explains clearly what’s waiting for him there:

It’s impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem. Could it be said more clearly? Jesus had no illusion of outer success any longer. In Gallilee crowds of thousands had praised him for his words and thanked him for curing them. But the opposition had grown, the closer he came to Jerusalem. The city had a reputation of killing the prophets and stoning those who were sent to it. Jesus knew he would be a part of the line of God’s messengers who the leaders of the people would execute. But he doesn’t cry for himself. He cries for the city. He cries for the people of God who would turn their backs on him.

How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing. Jesus uses an image of God which is mother- like: The hen gathers her brood under her wings. It’s an image of warmth, care, protection. The tragedy for Jerusalem was that they were not willing. They didn’t know what was best for them. Maybe we can see ourselves in the light of this image? God wants to envelop us in his love. He wants to cover us with his forgiveness. He will give us grace and safety in life and death. The question is, would we accept it? Jesus is willing. Are we?

The pain for Jesus at this time is the unwillingness of Jerusalem. They kept their traditions and their religion. The house, that’s the temple, must be kept at any price. John 11.28 even says that it was in order to protect the temple they wanted to kill Jesus. But Jesus says that just the opposite will happen. Your house (temple) will be abandoned. Here Jesus proclaims the judgement that would hit Jerusalem and the Jews stronger than anything else. In the year 70 the words were fulfilled. The Romans destroyed the temple, and today only the wailing wall is left of the once so magnificent building. Were the Romans God’s tools to execute the judgement of God over the Jews? That thought is never expressed in the NT. And this is where we get into the borderline of anti-Semitism. There is a terrible misunderstanding with roots in Christian tradition. It says that disasters that hit Jews today are the punishment from God, but with that evildoers would go free. But Hitler was never God’s tool when he killed six million Jews. When Synagogues are blown up and Jews attacked, it’s totally unacceptable tyranny. The Freedom of Religion and human rights must be respected. That has to be the basis for peace in the Middle East today. The state of Israel, on its side, can’t claim divine promises for their borders, and then treat others as they want. International law has to apply to all sides. But isn’t Israel the chosen people of God? Yes, but as little as Jesus claimed to be an earthly king, is the Kingdom of God a piece of land in the Middle East. Your house will be abandoned, Jesus said. What did he mean by that? God’s presence in this world is not dependent on a temple or a special place. God is present where the word and sacrament are. God is here when we worship him.

Paul asks in Rom 9:11 if God has rejected his people. No, he says. But because the Jews first rejected the thought of Jesus as the Messiah, we, the Gentiles, got the chance to be saved. But in the end, when the full number of the Gentiles has come in…all Israel will be saved. Rom 11.25-26. I don’t think the NT gives us reason to believe that the modern state of Israel is the fulfillment of the promises to Abraham. Heb 11.16 says that what they really longed for was a heavenly land. Jesus predicts a judgement which includes the destruction of the temple. The house will be abandoned. But behind the judgement we see the light of God’s salvation. You will not see me until the time comes when you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord." Jesus will return. Israel will turn around and believe that Jesus is the Messiah. He who suffered on the cross will himself be the new temple. John 2:21. God will dwell among men in the new Jerusalem, Rev 21:2. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is him who went the way of suffering, and reconciled the world with God.

Glory be to God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716