Shameless Passion
Sermon
From This Day Forward
First Lesson Sermons For Lent/Easter
Today is Palm Sunday. Some of you wonder why our text is not highlighting the trek into Jerusalem on a donkey, but rather this coming Friday's story of Jesus' suffering as found prophesied in the Old Testament. Why is this the chosen lesson?
Too many people move from Palm Sunday's jubilation to Easter's victory and never take the excruciating walk through the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Trials, and Mount Calvary. But you must go through it all really to know the joy of the Open Tomb!
I like the other name chosen for this day: Passion Sunday. Yes, "passion" means "suffering" on our church calendar. This is called Passion Week. We thank Jesus for enduring his passion and pain for us. But can we not also, just for the next few minutes, read this text and see the dictionary definition of "passion" in Jesus too? The definition of passion is "that for which one feels a strong desire or liking."
You know a lot of people who are very passionate about certain things. Golf is the passion of many men and women. They spend lots of money to belong to a club, spend a whole morning chasing a little white ball, twist a club after a bad shot, spend more money in the club's restaurant afterwards, and then go home and watch golf on television. I'd say they are passionate about golf.
Other people are passionate about collecting things. Like pigs. I know a woman who has been collecting pigs -- all different sizes and shapes. She has potholder pigs, ornamental pigs, letter opener pigs, flower vase pigs, socks with pigs on them, tongs with a pig head on it, pig wrapping paper, pig napkins, pig air fresheners. All she ever gets for Christmas and birthday gifts are piggish things. She's still passionate about pigs.
My wife is the most passionate person I have ever met. We've been married less than two years, but besides her passion for our marriage, she is passionate about life in general -- always going full bore into everything. She'll lose herself in her piano playing or cooking or playing a game -- and forget all about the time. Until I spoil the fun and bring her back to reality. She gives her all to be everything to everyone! That's passion!
Jesus was passionate too. Our text delineates three areas in his life: 1) passion to hear and listen to his Father (v. 1); 2) passion to give his life willingly (v. 6); 3) passion not to be disgraced nor let his children be shamed (v. 7-9).
Let's look at these three longings of Jesus and hear God speak to us.
He Heard And Listened To His Father
The only reason Jesus could be passionate about his mission and ministry, even though he only had three years to do it all and, as God, knew what the end would be, is because he was in tune with his Father. His Father wakened him "morning by morning" so he could be taught. Jesus took time to listen. We know the numerous times Jesus got up early in the morning and went to "lonely places" to pray and communed with his source of strength and wisdom -- his daddy.
Isn't it interesting that the One who opened mouths and ears with wet mud and a word is the same one who opened his ears to hear from God? God listening to God. The all-knowing One being taught. Is that not a model for us to follow, we who think we're so smart? Jesus did have "an instructed tongue," because he never said or did anything without direction from his father. "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him" (John 8:28-29).
Jesus both heard and spoke words that "sustain the weary." What are these weary sustaining words for us today as we listen to him? Listen to your Daddy saying, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Or these life-engendering words: "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Or this: "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith' " (Hebrews 10:36-38). Jesus knew these truths by heart and this passion to listen to his Father caused him to give up his life willingly.
He Willingly Gave Up His Life
While attending school, we have to take tests to show how much we know. We have no choice. In the military, one must go through basic training to become a full-fledged soldier. No other way. To be an honorable citizen, we must file taxes each year -- or risk getting in trouble. It's not an "if I feel like it" situation.
Jesus did something he didn't want to do and he did it willingly. No IRS agent was going to knock on his door if he didn't follow through on God's plan. Boot camp is a cakewalk compared to what Jesus submitted to. And Jesus walked into this test, yes, with trepidation, but with joy that was set before him. "I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting" (v. 6). Jesus wasn't forced to do this. He wasn't disobedient like Moses who objected, Jeremiah who made excuses, or Jonah who ran away. There was no rebellion or apostasy or hesitation on Jesus' part at all.
He set his face like flint -- hard, unchanging, unbendable -- towards Jerusalem. Nothing would stop him from finishing his task. Even if the disciples had risen up, it wouldn't deter him. Remember that he didn't even let an unattached ear cause a diversion and escape. Rather he reattached it. At the hardest moment of all, in the Garden of Gethsemane, his submitting words were, "Not my will, Father, but yours!" All because Jesus knew that it was God's will that he suffer. The majesty of it all is that God, in Jesus, was in control the whole time. He let his life be taken away. Passionately he finished the calling because he didn't want himself or anyone else to be put to shame!
He Desires That No One Be Put To Shame
Have you ever had the medical opportunity to wear a Holter monitor? It's the computerized box that is attached to electrodes that are stuck to your chest to monitor your heart rhythms for a 24-hour period. It's completely painless except when they don't shave a hairy chest and stick the adhesive electrodes directly on the skin. A day later when the nurse removes those sticky analyzers, lots of hair stays with them. They pluck the hairs, a clump of hair, right out of the skin. That stings, but its not humiliating like the plucking of the beard Jesus went through out of hardened anger against him or the degradation of the spittle that ran down his face after one of the soldiers cleared his throat and let it fly. Utter contempt. Ignominy to the highest degree.
Yet, Jesus wasn't disgraced. The only shame for Jesus would have been resisting this and many other embarrassing indecencies that were done to him. He was not shamed, because he bore the weight of our sin all the way and was vindicated when he said, "It is finished," and gave up his life voluntarily. He was ultimately vindicated, by his dad, when he burst forth from the tomb three days later. Jesus understands shame. He went through it like no else ever will and his desire is that the one "who trusts in him will never be put to shame" (Romans 10:11).
There was a woman who had a problem. She had the worst case of bad breath ever smelled. Nothing she did -- the sprays, the mints, the doctor's visits -- seemed to help. This affected her personal relationships, especially with guys. She would never get close to them or let them kiss her.
There was a man who had another problem. He had the worst case of smelly feet ever smelled. He never removed his shoes and took great pains to wash his feet continually so even he could sleep with himself.
Yes, you guessed it. These two people met, and they started to date. Somehow through the months they hid their ailments from each other. She never opened her mouth to kiss, and he never took his shoes off, even when they went swimming. They were in love and decided to get married. On the wedding night, she was in the bathroom of the hotel crying hysterically, "What am I going to do?" He was in the room frantically trying to find a place to hide his shoes. Finally, she burst out of the bathroom sobbing and grabbed her new husband and blurted out, "I have a confession to make!" Without hesitation, he said, "Don't tell me: you ate my socks!"
That's a funny story, but shame is no laughing matter. Some of you have secrets like the newlyweds. Some of you have been falsely accused or betrayed by others. Shame engulfs others of you because of something perpetrated upon you. Others only hear the accuser Satan speaking to you right now: "You can never be forgiven! You'll never get rid of your shame!" Your Savior understands what it is like to be falsely accused, to have a finger pointing at you, to feel hurt, betrayal, and shame. Like Jesus, who hung naked on the cross, you feel naked and exposed, vulnerable and wary. You put on a good front and keep buying the newest mouthwash or Odoreaters. But nothing seems to take away the pain. Millions of hurting, shame-filled people in our world need freedom from guilt and fear.
The antidote to smelly feet and bad breath is Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." No accusation from the One who counts the most! Because Jesus in his passionate passion took your sin, bore your shame, and was even rejected by God, you are not rejected. God will never turn his back on you. His desire is that you are never ashamed!
What are you passionate about? Golf is a great way to get the competitive juices flowing and play in God's green world. Collecting pigs ... well, that's satisfying to some. And being passionate about life is a wonderful blessing. But I want to be passionate like Jesus. Especially this coming Holy Week. I want to hear my Father's voice. I want to lay down my life for others. And I want to tell the world, "Trust in Jesus and you will never be put to shame!"
Too many people move from Palm Sunday's jubilation to Easter's victory and never take the excruciating walk through the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Trials, and Mount Calvary. But you must go through it all really to know the joy of the Open Tomb!
I like the other name chosen for this day: Passion Sunday. Yes, "passion" means "suffering" on our church calendar. This is called Passion Week. We thank Jesus for enduring his passion and pain for us. But can we not also, just for the next few minutes, read this text and see the dictionary definition of "passion" in Jesus too? The definition of passion is "that for which one feels a strong desire or liking."
You know a lot of people who are very passionate about certain things. Golf is the passion of many men and women. They spend lots of money to belong to a club, spend a whole morning chasing a little white ball, twist a club after a bad shot, spend more money in the club's restaurant afterwards, and then go home and watch golf on television. I'd say they are passionate about golf.
Other people are passionate about collecting things. Like pigs. I know a woman who has been collecting pigs -- all different sizes and shapes. She has potholder pigs, ornamental pigs, letter opener pigs, flower vase pigs, socks with pigs on them, tongs with a pig head on it, pig wrapping paper, pig napkins, pig air fresheners. All she ever gets for Christmas and birthday gifts are piggish things. She's still passionate about pigs.
My wife is the most passionate person I have ever met. We've been married less than two years, but besides her passion for our marriage, she is passionate about life in general -- always going full bore into everything. She'll lose herself in her piano playing or cooking or playing a game -- and forget all about the time. Until I spoil the fun and bring her back to reality. She gives her all to be everything to everyone! That's passion!
Jesus was passionate too. Our text delineates three areas in his life: 1) passion to hear and listen to his Father (v. 1); 2) passion to give his life willingly (v. 6); 3) passion not to be disgraced nor let his children be shamed (v. 7-9).
Let's look at these three longings of Jesus and hear God speak to us.
He Heard And Listened To His Father
The only reason Jesus could be passionate about his mission and ministry, even though he only had three years to do it all and, as God, knew what the end would be, is because he was in tune with his Father. His Father wakened him "morning by morning" so he could be taught. Jesus took time to listen. We know the numerous times Jesus got up early in the morning and went to "lonely places" to pray and communed with his source of strength and wisdom -- his daddy.
Isn't it interesting that the One who opened mouths and ears with wet mud and a word is the same one who opened his ears to hear from God? God listening to God. The all-knowing One being taught. Is that not a model for us to follow, we who think we're so smart? Jesus did have "an instructed tongue," because he never said or did anything without direction from his father. "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him" (John 8:28-29).
Jesus both heard and spoke words that "sustain the weary." What are these weary sustaining words for us today as we listen to him? Listen to your Daddy saying, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Or these life-engendering words: "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Or this: "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith' " (Hebrews 10:36-38). Jesus knew these truths by heart and this passion to listen to his Father caused him to give up his life willingly.
He Willingly Gave Up His Life
While attending school, we have to take tests to show how much we know. We have no choice. In the military, one must go through basic training to become a full-fledged soldier. No other way. To be an honorable citizen, we must file taxes each year -- or risk getting in trouble. It's not an "if I feel like it" situation.
Jesus did something he didn't want to do and he did it willingly. No IRS agent was going to knock on his door if he didn't follow through on God's plan. Boot camp is a cakewalk compared to what Jesus submitted to. And Jesus walked into this test, yes, with trepidation, but with joy that was set before him. "I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting" (v. 6). Jesus wasn't forced to do this. He wasn't disobedient like Moses who objected, Jeremiah who made excuses, or Jonah who ran away. There was no rebellion or apostasy or hesitation on Jesus' part at all.
He set his face like flint -- hard, unchanging, unbendable -- towards Jerusalem. Nothing would stop him from finishing his task. Even if the disciples had risen up, it wouldn't deter him. Remember that he didn't even let an unattached ear cause a diversion and escape. Rather he reattached it. At the hardest moment of all, in the Garden of Gethsemane, his submitting words were, "Not my will, Father, but yours!" All because Jesus knew that it was God's will that he suffer. The majesty of it all is that God, in Jesus, was in control the whole time. He let his life be taken away. Passionately he finished the calling because he didn't want himself or anyone else to be put to shame!
He Desires That No One Be Put To Shame
Have you ever had the medical opportunity to wear a Holter monitor? It's the computerized box that is attached to electrodes that are stuck to your chest to monitor your heart rhythms for a 24-hour period. It's completely painless except when they don't shave a hairy chest and stick the adhesive electrodes directly on the skin. A day later when the nurse removes those sticky analyzers, lots of hair stays with them. They pluck the hairs, a clump of hair, right out of the skin. That stings, but its not humiliating like the plucking of the beard Jesus went through out of hardened anger against him or the degradation of the spittle that ran down his face after one of the soldiers cleared his throat and let it fly. Utter contempt. Ignominy to the highest degree.
Yet, Jesus wasn't disgraced. The only shame for Jesus would have been resisting this and many other embarrassing indecencies that were done to him. He was not shamed, because he bore the weight of our sin all the way and was vindicated when he said, "It is finished," and gave up his life voluntarily. He was ultimately vindicated, by his dad, when he burst forth from the tomb three days later. Jesus understands shame. He went through it like no else ever will and his desire is that the one "who trusts in him will never be put to shame" (Romans 10:11).
There was a woman who had a problem. She had the worst case of bad breath ever smelled. Nothing she did -- the sprays, the mints, the doctor's visits -- seemed to help. This affected her personal relationships, especially with guys. She would never get close to them or let them kiss her.
There was a man who had another problem. He had the worst case of smelly feet ever smelled. He never removed his shoes and took great pains to wash his feet continually so even he could sleep with himself.
Yes, you guessed it. These two people met, and they started to date. Somehow through the months they hid their ailments from each other. She never opened her mouth to kiss, and he never took his shoes off, even when they went swimming. They were in love and decided to get married. On the wedding night, she was in the bathroom of the hotel crying hysterically, "What am I going to do?" He was in the room frantically trying to find a place to hide his shoes. Finally, she burst out of the bathroom sobbing and grabbed her new husband and blurted out, "I have a confession to make!" Without hesitation, he said, "Don't tell me: you ate my socks!"
That's a funny story, but shame is no laughing matter. Some of you have secrets like the newlyweds. Some of you have been falsely accused or betrayed by others. Shame engulfs others of you because of something perpetrated upon you. Others only hear the accuser Satan speaking to you right now: "You can never be forgiven! You'll never get rid of your shame!" Your Savior understands what it is like to be falsely accused, to have a finger pointing at you, to feel hurt, betrayal, and shame. Like Jesus, who hung naked on the cross, you feel naked and exposed, vulnerable and wary. You put on a good front and keep buying the newest mouthwash or Odoreaters. But nothing seems to take away the pain. Millions of hurting, shame-filled people in our world need freedom from guilt and fear.
The antidote to smelly feet and bad breath is Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." No accusation from the One who counts the most! Because Jesus in his passionate passion took your sin, bore your shame, and was even rejected by God, you are not rejected. God will never turn his back on you. His desire is that you are never ashamed!
What are you passionate about? Golf is a great way to get the competitive juices flowing and play in God's green world. Collecting pigs ... well, that's satisfying to some. And being passionate about life is a wonderful blessing. But I want to be passionate like Jesus. Especially this coming Holy Week. I want to hear my Father's voice. I want to lay down my life for others. And I want to tell the world, "Trust in Jesus and you will never be put to shame!"
