PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 23:1-7
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“We have found this man subverting our nation.” (Luke 23:2)
The Latin root for the English word ‘subvert’ means to turn from beneath.
The original Greek word in this text means to turn thoroughly.
Jesus is being accused of turning things around – like a revolution.
But was Jesus really a revolutionary?
Not in the sense that we normally think, but yes he was.
Jesus came to turn things right, or straight, or right-side up.
Our world is upside down, or backwards, in terms of goodness.
Jesus ‘subverted’ the rulers by being humble, gentle, patient, and loving.
His goodness antagonized their self-serving attitudes and behaviours.
As Messiah, Jesus was the king of the Jews, but not a worldly king.
His exercise of authority was shown in how he loved and served people.
Jesus subverts Satan, sin, death and hell by his subversive kindness.
As Jesus followers, we are called to be kingdom subversives in the same way.
Not with violence, or rebellious spirits, but with grace, mercy and peace!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to know how to lead like you in this upside-down, mixed up world. May I be guilty of subverting greed, selfishness, injustice etc with my gracious attitude and behaviour.
Interesting: “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Even as Pilate hears some trumped up charges. Today, many find no basis in Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah either. Pilate saw no creditability in the accusations brought against Jesus – and so when he found out that he was from Galilee which was under Herod’s jurisdiction (under Rome) – he saw an easy way to pass along the problem. Today, many are not discovering the truth, the reason for all the problems, disease and disasters we have – the root of sin/evil that overshadows us and must be dealt with – that has its answer in Jesus. Praying that we may be able to help people understand Jesus claim as the Messiah – as the saviour who rescues us from all this mess. Help us Lord to share from the Grace that we have been given!
Pilate did not take Jesus seriously. The company which brought Jesus to Pilate did not understand Christ’s words and deeds. They were self motivated, seeking their own position and authority. Jesus was a peacemaker, putting the love of the people first. He came to serve and I must do the same with my words and deeds. Love in action.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.