The Cruciformity of Christ
A Christological Hymn
Luke 19:45-20:26 | Philippians 2:5b-11 | Gospels during Lent: Luke 6-8
Things are certainly heating up for Jesus in Jerusalem at this point. Throwing people out of the temple, accusing the leaders and really, all of Israel, concerning their ignorance and apathy toward his coming…these are the things that ultimately lead to his arrest in Luke (and truly, his death).
In the meantime, Paul shares a hymn concerning the very nature of Christ, his death, and resurrection. This hymn is foundational for the Church’s understanding of why Jesus came, died, and rose again. Whether Paul wrote it or it was something already well-known among the early Christians is up for debate. But what it sets forth regarding the cross isn’t.
It’s explanatory for what Christ did and exemplary for what his followers will do.
Luke 19:45-20:26
When Jesus entered the temple, he threw out those who were selling things there. He said to them, “It’s written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a hideout for crooks.”
Jesus was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests, the legal experts, and the foremost leaders among the people were seeking to kill him. However, they couldn’t find a way to do it because all the people were enthralled with what they heard.
On one of the days when Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests, legal experts, and elders approached him. They said, “Tell us: What kind of authority do you have for doing these things? Who gave you this authority?”
He replied, “I have a question for you. Tell me: Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin?”
They discussed among themselves, “If we say, ‘It’s of heavenly origin,’ he’ll say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘It’s of human origin,’ all the people will stone us to death because they are convinced that John was a prophet.” They answered that they didn’t know where it came from.
Then Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things.”
Jesus told the people this parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard, rented it to tenant farmers, and went on a trip for a long time. When it was time, he sent a servant to collect from the tenants his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants sent him away, beaten and empty-handed. The man sent another servant. But they beat him, treated him disgracefully, and sent him away empty-handed as well. He sent a third servant. They wounded this servant and threw him out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I’ll send my son, whom I love dearly. Perhaps they will respect him.’ But when they saw him, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Let’s kill him so the inheritance will be ours.’ They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”
When the people heard this, they said, “May this never happen!”
Staring at them, Jesus said, “Then what is the meaning of this text of scripture: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone? Everyone who falls on that stone will be crushed. And the stone will crush the person it falls on.” The legal experts and chief priests wanted to arrest him right then because they knew he had told this parable against them. But they feared the people.
The legal experts and chief priests were watching Jesus closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They wanted to trap him in his words so they could hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are correct in what you say and teach. You don’t show favoritism but teach God’s way as it really is. Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Since Jesus recognized their deception, he said to them, “Show me a coin. Whose image and inscription does it have on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
He said to them, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They couldn’t trap him in his words in front of the people. Astonished by his answer, they were speechless.
Philippians 2:5b-11
Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:
Though he was in the form of God,
he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
But he emptied himself
by taking the form of a slave
and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore, God highly honored him
and gave him a name above all names,
so that at the name of Jesus everyone
in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Prayer
God,
At the start of another new day, may the love and encouragement I’ve come to know in Christ sit at the forefront of it all. Help me to be of one mind with others, sharing the compassion and grace that you have shown us in Jesus.
Even as I value who you’ve made me to be, help me to consider others above myself, embracing the selflessness demonstrated by Jesus.
In moments of challenge, let his example guide me, reminding me to be obedient and humble in your sight. Let the light of your love shine through me, reflecting the joy and peace that come from a life lived in service to others.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.