If you were aware that you had less than two weeks to live, how would you invest your time? Thankfully most of us never have to answer such a morbid question. One person who did was Jesus. He was well aware, standing on the plains of Jordan, looking up into the Judean mountain range that this was going to be his final accent into Jerusalem. He knew that upon his arrival, he would be betrayed, mocked, spat on, flogged, and eventually executed by means of crucifixion. The journey was unavoidable; he was born for this very purpose, to receive the punishment that was due us because of our choice to live for ourselves rather than for the honour of our creator.
It is a sad irony that at the same time, Jesus’ closest followers were arguing amongst themselves wanting to claim ringside seats in his eternal kingdom!
Even as he approached the Jericho road for the last time his mind was on the hurts and pain of those around him. Two notable individuals were a blind beggar named Bartimaeus and a wealthy tax thief named Zaccheus; you would be hard pressed to find a more unlikely pairing. Both were disconnected from society, treated as outcasts, haunted by shame, unloved by the people around them, distanced from God, men in great need. It should not surprise us to know that Jesus heard Bartimaeus’ feeble cry and saw Zaccheus’ fragile form and then met them both at their deepest need.
As I reflect on this day in Jesus’ life I can’t help but think how oblivious I am to the hurts of the people around me. After all, I’ve got tasks to perform, deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, Pastors are busy people. And yet here we see Jesus, walking along death row, days out from an excruciating, torturous death, and he’s giving his complete undivided attention to one man in the gutter and another up a tree.
Today Jesus is still healing hurts, restoring brokenness and releasing those held captive by their past. Only, today he has a different body, he calls it “the church”. Perhaps as we step out on our journey this week, we will be less absorbed in our tasks and more attune to the hurts around us. Jesus just might want to meet a need through us.
Let me encourage you all to take time over the next week to read of Jesus’ last few days on this planet from Mark Chapter 10 onward or Luke Chapter 18 onward. And discover for yourself the depth of his commitment toward all people, including you and your neighbour.
Mark Smith
Pastor, LIFEzone