prediction 4 (Mt 26:1-5)

Monday, March 17, 2008

Psalm 12; Matthew 26:1-5

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I have tried to arrange our readings this week to approximate with the events of "Holy Week." So we will have some short readings and some longer readings - feel free to space it out more evenly if you like.
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"the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
(Matthew 26:2)

This may be Jesus' fourth clear prediction of his death (16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). The previous three are identified together because there he included that he would be raised... which still is hard to hear after all your gaskets are blown because the "Messiah" has said he will be delivered over and killed: "That does not compute."

This is the second time Jesus predicts that he will be "crucified;" in 20:19 he said he would be delivered over to the Gentiles to be crucified. This showdown will get political, the leaders of the Jewish people will somehow pull in the Roman occupying and ruling leaders to get rid of him.
"The Roman citizen was exempt from this form of death, it being considered the death of a slave (Cicero In Verrem i. 5, 66; Quint. viii.4). The punishment was meted out for such crimes as treason, desertion in the face of the enemy, robbery, piracy, assassination, sedition, etc." (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "Cross").

The word crucify would immediately trigger such thoughts and images in the minds of those who heard such predictions, and those early readers of the gospels. Without going into it here, when Paul writes in Colossians 2:15 that God "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him (or it, ie. the cross)," he may be referring to all structures of power, everything that in one way or another demands that we bow down to them and obey them, not just strictly the devil and his demons. (more on this may show up on the dicristina blog in the future)

So the high priest, the chief priests, and the elders of the people gather to plot to arrest Jesus by stealth... lest there be an uproar among the people. Elders of the people are supposed to be wise, mature, and to function for the life and health of the community - these elders totally missed it.

Note, too, their concern that the people would not go along with their plan. There really is little or no evidence that all those proclaiming him in his triumphal entry turned their "Hosannas" to "Crucify him!" It makes for good drama on Palm Sunday, and probably does speak to an evil bent in us, but I don't think it's true to the story. Perhaps more on this in a few days...

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Prayer for Monday of Holy Week)