~ Giving to Others

The season of the Cross tends to lead us into all sort of religious introspection; I guess it is most likely because of the drama of the event.  I also get reflective during this time again because of the drama that started when two disciples were sent to get a donkey that had not been ridden because the Master had a need of it. 

This event in my thinking is a type of what was coming up for Jesus.  A donkey that had not been ridden to my way of thinking is quite possibly worse than a horse that had not been broken but the owner apparently was quite happy to go along because the Master needed it.

Jesus rode that unbroken donkey into Jerusalem through a crowd of people who were waving palm leaves at Him and the donkey never tried to throw Him off.  For anyone who has an understanding of these animals and horses for that matter knows that an unbroken animal can be spooked by even the littlest event and even tamed ones are little better.

Because Jesus needed that donkey the owner released it.  In a similar way a week later Jesus gave His life so that we might live.  This is the type I spoke of.  Jesus was not someone who one day rode into town to the adulation of a great crowd and a week later gets carried away in the hype of His entry and overwhelmed when authorities decide enough is enough.  He is not a victim of the Roman/Jewish conspiracy although that is often the way it is portrayed.

He went to Jerusalem knowing what lay before Him.  He decided that we were worth the abuse that He was going to have to accept, not endure.  This was His fulfilment He chose to go through everything without reacting because He loved us that much and He lived the Father to the same extent.

In Gethsemane He prayed repeatedly for the Father to find another way.  After all if you recall it worked for Abraham – he took his son, his only son to Mount Moriah to sacrifice the son of his old age according to God’s instructions but before Abraham did the deed, Jehovah Jireh provided a ram caught in the the bushes instead. (Genesis 22)

Jesus knew this tale from childhood and before so it was not improper for Him to ask Father if it was possible to take this cup from Him.  But there was no reprieve the time came and Jesus walked resolutely to His destiny.  I sometimes wonder if, when Herod asked Jesus to “walk across the swimming pool”, what would have happened.  Herod might have been so impressed that he would have sent Caiaphas to the Cross.  But no Jesus stood before Herod and said nothing, did nothing to make Herod do anything but order the execution of the “King of the Jews”.  Truth be told Jesus did impress Herod that is why he ordered the sign that was on the Cross of the Christ.

So what has this ramble been leading to?  Christ Jesus chose to die on that wooden cross not for any other reason that it was what Father asked Him to do and that He did it for each of us.  This was His gift that we might enjoy a full life but it was also His example for us.

As a Follower of the Way of Christ we are to live in and with Jesus for the benefit of others.  During this season of the Cross can we decide to be available to others to give to them as Jesus gave to us?  The thing is we have to live it not to die for them.