Jesus the Annointed one: Death and Life Intermingle

High Street Family,

Last Sunday, we dove into the moment Jesus rode through Jerusalem, carrying the anointing of God

as King/Messiah (Messiah means Anointed One in Hebrew) and also the anointing of Mary at

Bethany—for burial (see 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 & John 12:1-19).

A King, victorious and yet carrying on His body the onslaught of human sin, betrayal, suffering, and

grief (and literally wafting from his body was a pound of the Jewish burial oil, spikenard)

You know, it can be hard to look toward the cross.

But in my hardest seasons, I felt less and less like reading the intense events of Holy week.

It felt like too much. I didn’t really want to “go there.”

And I think that’s more common that we realize.

These events, the literal human pain and betrayal that Jesus faces, is poignant. It’s a finger pressing

upon our own areas of pain.

Sometimes massaging a sore spot.

Other times, ripping off a scab.

Death just isn’t easy.

It was never meant to be.

And that intuition of the wrong-ness of death is actually right-on.

We weren’t meant to live this way.

Even for Jesus, the Bible records that He, “endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at

the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:3).

He endured the cross. He didn’t delight in it.

He despised the shame. It was actually painful for him to suffer.

Jesus wept at the wrongness, when His friend Lazarus died.

He groans, almost in anger—as Death comes to those closest to Him. He is deeply affected. Even as

He knows His power is right around that corner to heal and resurrect.

At his own door of death, Jesus sweats blood in earnest prayer before the Father, asking Him if

there was any…other…way.

Have you ever felt that angst?

Have you wish there was a way out?

Or a different way through?

In Jesus’ own two-sided nature, His humanity cries out against the death that His God-hood came

to endure. Death and life intermingle. Heaven confronts earth.

And as we consider for a moment, just a glimmer, just a momentary thought of what was very real,

abuse, torture, injustice, and murder upon the Son of God—while the Spirit carried him through—

The Christian paradox of death bringing life is only true because Jesus went through the bad. The

wrong. The offensive. The shameful.

We can pause, breathing lighter, because the weight of death was carried back then.

Oh, it still hurts.

And it still means endurance for a time.

But when the King of the Universe carries Death on His shoulders—it better make a difference. (2

Corinthains 3:7-18)

The New Testament declares that Jesus is the first born of many brothers and sisters.

And that means, that when we trust in Jesus, we’re included in the Family of God—then Jesus is my

blood brother.

- His King-blood flows down from that cross. And in the death effects I’m facing, those now

become moments to receive.

- His Kingly wounds, cover my pain and suffering. And the suffering become opportunities to

open more to my beliefs about God, myself, His word, and His power to transform.

- His Kingly death, carries the symptoms of death I’m facing. And the seasons of pain, though

they hurt, the inheritance of God’s love for His son or daughter can be freshly embraced.

And for Jesus, this is still real—for His ministry is living and active. He’s still interceding with this

same all-consuming power for you

Romans 8:34 - Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand

of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

His power, the glimmer of faith you feel rising in your chest—is the ministry of His Holy Spirit

lifting the effects of death once again—shouldering it for His sibling—you.

- What would it be like to let the strength of that Man, Jesus, carry You today?

- What area would you need Him to lift?

- What might His voice speak to Your need?

- What might His power do in the middle of your pain?

Take a moment to talk with Him now—and let the finished work begin a finishing work in your life

this week.

Amen.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Dave

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

- 1 Corinthians 15:55

There it is, Your alabaster cross

Giving all You are for all I’m not

I can’t believe that’s the kind of King You are

How could I not bring a lifetime worth of worship to You God

Let it rise like incense

My whole life a fragrance

Every ounce here broken at Your feet

Every breath an offering

My heart cries, these lungs sing

Over You, my worthy King of Kings

- Alabaster Heart, Kalley Hallegail