On the Tuesday of Holy Week

[And now, the rest of the story...]

The next day, Jesus reminded the Jews of the covenant in Deuteronomy to love God with all their heart (Mt 23:37; Dt. 6:5), but they could not see that the one they were called to love was right before their eyes. Jesus looked around at those in the temple and lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matt 23:31-39). The lights were on; no one was home. The Kingdom was still in chaos.

That night in Bethany, Jesus was anointed by a woman – finally the worship he was supposed to receive. When the disciples complained that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor, Jesus responded, “The poor you will always have with you” (Matt. 26:10), again a direct blast to them for not keeping the covenant of Deuteronomy which states, “However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance he will richly bless you” (Deut 15:4).

Two evenings later, Jesus celebrated the Passover. Then, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where the “Suffering Servant” cried out to the Father, “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress… My times are in your hands… Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love” (Psalm 31). There was the Betrayal. The Trial. The Cross. The Darkest Night of the Soul. The Tomb. But as verse 16 is not the last verse of Psalm 31, Friday night is not the end of this story either. Don’t forget, Sunday’s coming.

And even today, Jesus is still calling us back to his covenant. Through the new covenant of bread and wine, body and blood, Jesus is calling us to worship, to love the outcast, to care for the poor, and to bring about his kingdom of peace. So as you reflect on Christ’s passion this week, share in Jesus’ song of lament and pray for the day all the nations proclaim, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’