Psalm 89:1-18; Isa. 63:1-6; 1 Tim. 1:1-17; Mark 11:1-11
It is surprising that Revelation 15 is not paired with the Isaiah reading but perhaps it would be a bit much to read both those passages of God’s wrath being poured out together. We don’t like to talk about or think about God’s wrath, such images as this cause us to wonder what kind of God we serve if He is capable of what many would call blood lust and yet we fail to see its purpose. The world is ravaged by sin and He is a holy God. We have destroyed His creation and thwarted His purposes. We can never know what might have been, the bell cannot be unrung from the effects of sin. We see through eyes that have never seen what He saw from the start. In order to save some, the wrath of God is against those who would destroy them and assert themselves against Him. Judgment on sin tells us of the holiness of God and the horror of sin, that it is truly an abomination against Him. Do we see it that way in our lives?
If, as John prophesied, you expected to see the Lord come in judgment, what would you make of Jesus coming in on a donkey? It is the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy but Jesus is making His entry without having first judged those others, those sinners. He is coming in a bloodless coup d’etat. The proclamation by His actions is clear, He is coming in peace. Kings rode horses to war and donkeys in peaceful times. Jesus declares His intention and His kingdom. Is it any wonder Gandhi found inspiration in Jesus who comes in peace to a world at war with Him? He comes in this way and we understand the truth that He comes in peace that the world might be saved through Him and yet the human reaction to Him reveals a bit more about why He must come in judgment, war is declared on God.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners is a proclamation I make each week in our liturgy, failing to finish Paul’s sentence, “of whom I am the foremost.” Paul catalogs his former sins, “blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.” On each count of the indictment I too am guilty and yet the love of God is such that I was given mercy and forgiveness and allowed to come into His kingdom. It is almost too much to imagine the love of God towards me when I consider my former life and it continues to amaze me how great His grace is towards me as I continue to struggle against sin in my life. He has given us a message to proclaim so that the world might know His saving work and His future judgment. How can we withhold such a message?
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.
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