(Not) Erasing Evil from Existence
February 22, 2023
Matthew 17:22-23 | Daniel 7:13-14 | Gospels in Lent Track: Mark 4-6
This is perhaps our shortest reading yet, but it is key in the life and ministry of Christ and for this season. It’s notable that Jesus told the disciples this early on what would happen. We will soon see that they don’t fully get it because several will actively fight against what happens (Jesus’ arrest).
Perhaps most interesting is that Jesus tells them here that it will end in resurrection. But they are still heartbroken. Why do you think that is?
Are there times in our lives when we believe or maybe even know that things will be okay, but the unavoidable journey to get there is difficult or just plain annoying so we end up feeling badly about the whole thing?
Maybe that is why the Church has found value in observing Lent. Despite that we know the hope-full ending of the story, taking the journey through Christ’s passion is fuel for the road.
(There are other reasons, too.)
Matthew 17:22-23
When the disciples came together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Human One is about to be delivered over into human hands. They will kill him. But he will be raised on the third day.” And they were heartbroken.
Daniel 7:13-14
As I continued to watch this night vision of mine, I suddenly saw
one like a human being1
coming with the heavenly clouds.
He came to the ancient one
and was presented before him.
Rule, glory, and kingship were given to him;
all peoples, nations, and languages will serve him.
His rule is an everlasting one—
it will never pass away!—
his kingship is indestructible.
Prayer
God,
You know that sometimes/often life is difficult. You know because I’ve prayed to you before and told you all about it.
So thank you for the way in which you came to bring salvation to the world. Our generally-held human understandings of what a god should be seem to say that you could have just appeared on earth and told evil what’s up. Just erased it from existence.
But you didn’t. You came as one of us, suffered as one of us, and died as one of us.
Maybe that looks weak to others. But for us, Lord, it is friendship and solidarity. And I do not take your solidarity with us for granted. So I will walk this journey with you as you have with us. Teach me your way.
By Your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
This is often rendered son of man, and in the context of Daniel, generally simply means like a human (just as it reads - human being). But there is some resonation between this verse and Jesus calling himself The Human One or Son of Man.