Jesus isn't your homeboy

Jesus wasn't a hippie in a pink bathrobe.  He wasn't the original Mr. Rodgers.  And he's not your homeboy.  The entire Gospel - in fact the entire Word of God - doesn't leave that as an option to us.  And today's reading from Matthew 27 reminds us of that.

In v.11, as Jesus stands for a mock trial in front of Pilate, he asks Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews."  Jesus simply answered, "You have said so."  The accusations continue in v.v. 12&13, and to the amazement of everybody present in this sham of a proceeding, Jesus never answers.  

He didn't have to.  His life and his words are evidence of that.  Jesus wasn't crucified for being a nice guy that did nice things for people.  Let's dispense with this childish notion once and for all.

The evidence of the Biblical record is clear - Jesus was crucified because of his claims to be God in human flesh; because of his claims to have the authority to forgive sins; and because of his claims that he would be resurrected.  Jesus was crucified by the Jewish and Roman leaders because he was dangerous to their power and influence.  Jesus was crucified by the Jewish and Roman leaders because he was turning the world upside down and inside out and the Kingdom of God was forcefully advancing.

This isn't the work of a nice guy.  This isn't the work of your homeboy.  This is the work of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Pilate's wife, in v.19, knew that Jesus was innocent of any crime.  She told Pilate, "Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."  And yet Pilate caved to the demands of the crowd.  He released the prisoner Barabbas, and held Jesus to be crucified.  

In the grand scheme of things - the 20,000 foot view - Jesus was crucified because He came to be crucified.  We should shudder at that thought.  God in human flesh bore the penalty for our sin.  He shed his precious, innocent blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  Isaiah 53 was fulfilled on this day.  

This is the radical love of God for you and for me.  This isn't your homeboy.  This is your Lord and Savior.  This isn't Mr. Rodgers.  This is the precious Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.  This isn't just a nice guy.  This is the ultimate expression of sacrificial, unconditional love.  This should bring us to our knees in repentance, and then should bring us to our feet in adoration, worship and service for what Jesus has done for us.

Jesus gave his best for you.  He gave it all.  Homeboys don't do this.  Nice guys don't do this.  Saviors do this.  When Jesus is just your homeboy or a nice guy, he's safe and manageable.  When He's your Savior and Lord, he's dangerous to the life you want to live for yourself. 

 Love and sacrifice like this demands our life - all that we have and all that we are.  How can we look at this love and this sacrifice and want to give Him anything less than all we have?

"Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were an offering far too small

Love so amazing, so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all"

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - Isaac Watts