On Palm Sunday the Church celebrates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus rode into the City on a donkey accompanied by His disciples and to the greeting of the crowds who shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!" (Matthew 21:9). Unfortunately the joy of Palm Sunday begins to dissipate as we remember the events of Holy Week two thousand years ago that culminated with the night of agony in Gethsemane and the suffering on Calvary's cross on Good Friday. The Gospel accounts clearly state that Jesus knew in advance these turn of events before He went to Jerusalem.
After Peter's great confession at Caesarea Philippi, that Christ is the Son of the Living God, "Jesus began to explain to his disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life" (Matthew 16:21). Observe that the word "must" is repeated in this verse to emphasize the necessity of Christ's going to Jerusalem to suffer and His being crucified (see Matthew 20:19). The reason that Jesus left Heaven and came to earth was for the purpose of His sacrificial death on the cross. This was the Father's will for His life that He faced and struggled with in the Garden the night before. Jesus realized that there was no getting around the cross and He went to Calvary to finish the mission for which He was sent. When Peter heard Jesus talking about this, he "took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" (Matthew 16:22). Twice Peter used the word "never" when he addressed the Lord. Jesus' stern response further underscores the necessity of the cross (see verse 23). Jesus heard the voice of His adversary, Satan, in the words of Peter.
Jesus continues saying this to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26). While Jesus was facing the cross, He stated the necessity of the cross for us as well. For Jesus the cross (a means of execution and not merely a burden) meant His literal death. The requirement for Christ's followers is given as a threefold challenge: 1) Denial of self, 2) Taking up the cross, and 3) Following Jesus. The message of the cross is not an easy one. It runs counter with our human nature; but if we are going to be true disciples of Christ, then there is no avoiding what Jesus stated.
The shallow contemporary "gospel" that is so prevalent today has commercialized Christmas and made it a gift-giving extravaganza. The birth of a baby is always a joyous event and the wise men did present gifts to Jesus' parents; but the first Christmas was, after all, the birthday of the Savior. Easter has also been marketed as a celebration of hope and renewal that includes the Easter Bunny and eggs. There would be no joy of the resurrection, however, if there had not been His death on the cross. This is why the cross is the symbol of Christianity.
Rev. Kenneth Fellenbaum
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Be An Olympian in Life
The 21st Winter Olympic Games held in Vancouver, Canada comes to a conclusion this Sunday night (Feb. 28). Chances are you were among the more than one half of all Americans who watched the events on television.
In the Olympics, held every four years, there are only three medals awarded per event; bronze, silver and gold. The athlete dreams of winning the gold and mounting the center podium as their country’s national anthem is played. These incredible individuals train and practice for years in preparation for the competition. Their personal stories of sacrifice and commitment are truly inspiring to hear. They appropriately command the world’s attention and admiration.
The culmination of years of determined effort is often separated by a mere fraction of a second between the top performers. I always thought that the most disappointing finish was not to come in second but fourth place. Those finishing runner up to the winner at least receive the silver but you get no medal for fourth place. This is also true for all the others who finish below the top three positions.
What they do take away with them is the experience of representing their country and competing with the world’s best in the Olympics—an honor all by itself. No doubt they also derive satisfaction from the training, discipline and exercise in their sport.
Anyone can appreciate and realize the lessons from life that can be learned from these amazing individuals. You are not just a “winner” when you achieve the top spot on the platform—everyone who works hard and gives their best effort is truly a “winner.” Unlike the Olympics, life provides us with many opportunities to “grab the gold.” We would do well to emulate the dedication and hard work of the athletes and approach life with their level of seriousness and commitment.
In addition to the accolades and applause from family, friends and co-workers there is the simple satisfaction from knowing we have done well. If you fall down, get back up and keep going. No doubt the greatest reward will be hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21& 23).
This can be realized if we heed the exhortation of Apostle Paul. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
Because he practiced what he preached, Paul could say near the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
In the Olympics, held every four years, there are only three medals awarded per event; bronze, silver and gold. The athlete dreams of winning the gold and mounting the center podium as their country’s national anthem is played. These incredible individuals train and practice for years in preparation for the competition. Their personal stories of sacrifice and commitment are truly inspiring to hear. They appropriately command the world’s attention and admiration.
The culmination of years of determined effort is often separated by a mere fraction of a second between the top performers. I always thought that the most disappointing finish was not to come in second but fourth place. Those finishing runner up to the winner at least receive the silver but you get no medal for fourth place. This is also true for all the others who finish below the top three positions.
What they do take away with them is the experience of representing their country and competing with the world’s best in the Olympics—an honor all by itself. No doubt they also derive satisfaction from the training, discipline and exercise in their sport.
Anyone can appreciate and realize the lessons from life that can be learned from these amazing individuals. You are not just a “winner” when you achieve the top spot on the platform—everyone who works hard and gives their best effort is truly a “winner.” Unlike the Olympics, life provides us with many opportunities to “grab the gold.” We would do well to emulate the dedication and hard work of the athletes and approach life with their level of seriousness and commitment.
In addition to the accolades and applause from family, friends and co-workers there is the simple satisfaction from knowing we have done well. If you fall down, get back up and keep going. No doubt the greatest reward will be hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21& 23).
This can be realized if we heed the exhortation of Apostle Paul. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
Because he practiced what he preached, Paul could say near the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
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