Summary: We are living unprecedented times. We ask ourselves what would Jesus do? This good question can be misleading. Rather we should ask, what did Jesus do? He was born into an era of injustice, violence and pain. He was the victim of abuse and injustice. What did He do?

Message by Gabi Faria

Introduction

It is my understanding that you have been in a message series called a Reflection on the 12 stations of the cross. Just last week my sister preached (worship leader preaching, preacher can’t sing, my voice would disconnect our network with Jesus!) on the Via Sacra, that moment when Jesus is carrying the weight of our sins, where each painful step is a step towards the joy set before him, the joy of our salvation and redemption! Renee explained the beauty of service as she explored this improbable character, Simon of Cirene (heart of worship recap).

Golgotha- place of the skull

And in the sequence of the new testament gospels, today we arrive at Golgotha, the hill where Jesus was crucified. They call Golgotha the place of the skull because it was a skull shaped hill (don’t ask me what that looks like). But the hill where Jesus was executed was outside the city walls of Jerusalem. And after this unbearably long walk, they arrive at this place, the cross gets thrown on the ground and the soldiers proceed to piercing Jesus’ hands and feet onto it. Next thing they start elevating this cross until Jesus is there, hanging on it, gasping for air. Now I want you to put yourself in this moment. This is Jesus we are talking about. Jesus whom we love. Jesus whom we sing to, Jesus whom we worship, Jesus our best friend, Jesus our teacher, Jesus our leader, Jesus our king. Think of this moment.

Now I want to go back, kind of like they do in the movies. We have entered the story at its peak, and now I want to rewind to about three years before.

Flashback – sermon on the mount

It’s a beautiful sunny day. Jesus is standing on a hill, a different hill, we don’t know the exact location but it’s not important. The crowds that were there that day were watching with great expectation. What is Jesus about to say?! The disciples especially, were a mix of anxious and excited for Jesus to speak! Now I want to give you some context to this crowd. You see the Jews had been waiting for a Messiah. They had read the scriptures, they knew the prophecies, a king was coming to save them and set them free.

The Jews were tired. Tired of living of under the oppression of the Roman Empire. Tired of the pain, abuse and persecution. Slavery was a reality, violence was everywhere, human rights were not even a thing. The gap between the haves and the have nots was incredibly significant. Women were living in patriarchal, male dominated society where so often they were mistreated, disrespected and hurt. People were desperate for hope, people were desperate for a Saviour.

I’m sure you can understand them. We are living in a time where COVID-19 is unmercifully taking thousands of lives. Economies are breaking down leaving the vulnerable destitute, people have no income, no way to provide for themselves and their families. Protests and manifestations have broken out across the whole world, people are tired of injustice, of inequality, tired of suffering. Tired of living in a world where the colour of your skin still matters.

So the Jews were tired, they were longing for a Saviour. So as Jesus is standing there on that hill, they start thinking of the prophecies.

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. Isaiah 9:6-7

This is it, this is the king we have been waiting for! Jesus himself had confirmed it. The Bible says in Mark chapter 1, Matthew chapter 9, Luke chapter 4, that Jesus went around preaching the Good news of the Kingdom of God, that was here and now! So they’re looking up at Jesus, surely this moment will mark the beginning of the revolution we have anticipated!

Next thing, Jesus starts speaking and I can only imagine their utter confusion when Jesus starts saying things like, “blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 Or “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God!” Matthew 5:7

I can see his disciples being like, wait we were gonna start a revolution, about to make history, how does being peacemakers fit into that plan?

Or when he says things like “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Matthew 5:44

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Matthew 5:38-39

Wait what, like you mean the Romans? The Greeks banned the practice of Judaism and who put a genocide of our people into motion?

Jesus starts revealing a kingdom like no other. A kingdom that is not of this world and cannot be compared. Fast forward to Matthew chapter 16 when Jesus is talking with his disciples and he asks them who do people say I am and they say (Elijah, john the Baptist, a prophet), then Jesus asks who do you say I am and Peter answers boldly you are the Messiah the Son of God! But just a few verses later, Jesus is talking about how he is going to suffer and ultimately be killed and Peter turns to him and shouts, “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Matthew 16:22. Peter was sure, until the very last moment that Jesus would get political, he would hop on to his social media and incite people to action, he draw his sword and “be the king he was meant to be”.

You see while Peter believed Jesus to be the Messiah, his belief is still conditioned to his own expectation of what the Messiah should look like and act like.

WWJD……WDJD?

I don’t know how many of you had one of those WWJD bracelets when you were young? What would Jesus do? The question is confrontational when we find ourselves in difficult situations, when as Christians we must decide which is the Godliest course of action. And while the question is good, it can be misleading. What WOULD Jesus do, leaves the answer to our imagination, according to our own ideas of what we think makes most sense, what we think is fair and just and righteous. Rather we should be asking ourselves what DID Jesus do?

The Bible says he died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). That’s what Jesus did. And so we get to Golgotha. Looking at the top of this hill where our Jesus, whom we love, whom we worship, whom we follow is hanging on a cross, crowned with thorns, his blood dripping, gasping for air.

What did Jesus do is a more uncomfortable question. He died for Barabbas, a nationalist criminal. He died for the religious leaders that falsely accused him. He died for the people chanting in mobs, shouting for his death. He died for the very roman soldiers pierced his hands and feet to the cross. It’s an uncomfortable question if the purpose of the answer is to guide our decisions, our lifestyle. Jesus practiced what he preached. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Wait, that’s confusing, you mean I am supposed to love racists? I am supposed to love people that hate me and hate my brothers and sisters just because of their skin colour? Derek Chauvin and his family? I am supposed to love and pray for bad presidents that abuse their power and are not fit to lead in any way shape or form, the decision the make just seem to perpetuate violence and magnify injustice? Yeah..pray for them and actually, submit to them. Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Romans 13:1

While we were still sinners Christ died for us.

No more excuses

I just went on holiday with my family last week and we were sitting by the pool when my Dad grabs some water and sneaks up behind my mom and pours it over her. We all laughed and as she was about to say something, I jokingly said, “just turn the other cheek mom” very quickly my sister came in her defense quoting Galatians 5 she said “well the bible also says not to provoke each other.”

And I thought that was so telling of how we Christians live sometimes. It was all a joke in that moment, but it revealed our common practice. All too often, we excuse ourselves from taking personal responsibility and obeying the message of Jesus by blaming the failure of others to obey that same message.

I would turn the other cheek but you provoked me.

I would respect you but your behavior does not deserve my respect.

I would forgive you, but you never apologized.

I would submit to you, but you don’t have a servant leadership.

I would honor my parents, but they have not done the best job at raising me in a godly way.

I would have compassion for George Floyd and his family but he was a criminal and had it coming.

Or I would love my white friends and respect them, be kind to them, but they haven’t admitted to their white privilege yet.

Golgotha defines the ethos of Christianity. While we were still sinners Christ died for us. I did nothing to deserve my salvation. You did nothing to deserve the pain that Christ went through for you.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Conclusion:

I don’t know what you have been through, I don’t know what you have suffered, as I watched the video of George Floyd being killed without any mercy, I was enraged. But my prayer is that we leave this place with Golgotha in mind. Despite my short commings, Jesus died for me and he forgave me. Freely we have received, freely we give (Matthew 10:8)