The Second Hardest Thing You Ever Do

It started with a question. The timing of the question is ironic, to say the least, given what had transpired over the past few days. There is a point in Jesus’ life where he sets his face in the direction of Jerusalem; and when he does this, the die is cast. He has a date with destiny and will enter the city public enemy number one in the eyes of the religious leaders. In the eyes of the Roman overlords, he will be deemed a subversive—a threat to the complete control that is Rome. Jerusalem means death!The question is ironic because the brothers who ask the question have heard Jesus tell them on at least three occasions, in explicit terms, that he is going to Jerusalem to die. And still… they ask Jesus if they can have the chief seats of power when he comes into his kingdom. Can you imagine? I suppose in one sense it is understandable that they would want to cement their positions; the brothers who ask the question have been singled out by Jesus as having more authority than the other disciples. So, I guess that, before everything hits the fan, these two brothers want to make sure they get the first cut of the spoils, the best cabinet seats, a ride in the front car in the ticker tape parade—in short, they want power and authority, but not the way Jesus is thinking.The text for Sunday is tough. It is flesh-withering, pride-draining, and counter-intuitive. In fact, I have told many of you, in very candid moments, that it is so demanding that the only way God has achieved anything that looks like what this text is talking about in my life is that God has had to trick me, put me in hard situations, humbled me greatly, or wounded me deeply. I am talking about the second hardest thing we ever do. Only the grace of the gospel will allow you to become so weak and only the sustaining grace and love of the Father will give you the courage and grace to continue to live as Jesus talks about.So, most of you will not be here Sunday, as it is Spring Break. I hate that, but I am rejoicing with you, and part the reason I will be left behind in Collierville (and not on the beach with most of you) is that God did trick me into something! (Otherwise, I would be getting that savage tan with you.) I will see the rest of you on Sunday!Blessings,Jim