Family friends recently buried a loved one at Arlington National Cemetery. Such a ceremony follows a respectful and solemn protocol. Mourners participate in a formal procession, seated in designated areas according to relation and then rank. Next, a military honor guard will carefully and ceremoniously fold the flag, which is then presented to the next of kin. Finally, a gun detail fires off three volleys in rapid, synchronized succession. With the heaviness of the shots still hanging in the air, taps is played by a bugler. The ceremony is marked by dignity and respect, honoring the service and sacrifice of the individual.

Continuing in our salvation story, we read about the burial of Jesus. Luke gives an in-depth description of the character of those who attended to Jesus’ body. They were devout, morally upright people who treated him with care and respect. Though Jesus died like a criminal, he would be buried like a king.  

Luke presents Joseph of Arimathea and the women who followed Jesus from Galilee as model disciples. We are all called to honor Jesus’ sacrifice by being pious people. 

What are some symbols of strength? There is the iconic Atlas from Greek mythology holding up the earth. There is the bull on Wall Street that symbolizes financial optimism, prosperity, and a strong economy. The eagle has symbolized strength, courage, freedom, and authority across various cultures, including here in America, as well as ancient Rome. 

The cross is the most precious symbol in the Christian religion. However, it is no symbol of strength. Rather, it was an instrument of suffering and shame. 

As we continue reading in our salvation story, we see Jesus in his weakest, most vulnerable moment. Yet, paradoxically, in the midst of his humiliation are unexpected feats of divine strength.

Luke records four unique statements not included in the other crucifixion accounts that reveal Jesus was no helpless victim of unjust suffering. He was more than a martyr. He was who he claimed to be. Jesus was King, with the power to save.

As disciples, we are called to take up our own cross and follow Jesus. It is in our weakness that we display true Christ-crucified strength.

Humans are often terrible judges of what we truly want, frequently prioritizing immediate gratification over long-term well-being. Our choices are often guided by intuition and external influences rather than rational thought. In contrast, Jesus has a fundamentally different approach to power, which isn't about control or self-promotion, but about the ability to transform people through self-emptying love. This is exemplified by his rejection by the people, who chose an insurrectionist over him, preferring a path of fighting back rather than loving enemies. Ultimately, Jesus creates a new way to be human: because Jesus took our place, we are free to live a Spirit-filled life—a life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness, rather than being driven by selfish desires or political power.

This week, the Major League Baseball playoffs began with a series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. These teams have a long shared history, passionate fans, and geographic proximity that fuel an us vs them mentality.

Rivalries don’t just exist in sports. There are sibling rivalries that sometimes produce feelings of jealousy and charges of favoritism. There are religious rivalries, Catholic versus Protestant. Of course, there are political rivalries, back and forth between the R’s and the D’s. Some are even passionate about their brand of truck, Ford versus Chevy.

In the previous episode of our salvation story, Jesus was subjected to a sham trial at the hands of the religious leaders who convicted him of blasphemy. We now read that they brought Jesus before the civil authorities, who had the power to put him to death. But the charges changed. The trial hinged on Jesus’ controversial claim to be king. Though historic rivals, both the religious and civil authorities came together against the Lord and His Anointed. Those alliances forged against Jesus’ kingship would continue on into the early church and still persist today. It’s not us vs. them. It’s about siding with Jesus, the coming king.

We're all trying to impress someone. A young boy might want to impress his dad. A teenager might want to impress her friends. A young man looks to impress a girl he’s attracted to. I’ve tried to keep a nice lawn this year to impress my neighbors. We try to impress people because we want their approval. Yet, this can be a dangerous game to play. People’s opinions are pretty fickle.

As we continue in our salvation story, we read that the arresting mob leads Jesus back into the city to the home of the high priest, where the Sanhedrin, with their mocking soldiers, conduct a sham trial. In a remarkable twist, Jesus reveals to his interrogators that he is the one who will ultimately judge. 

Meanwhile, Peter, who was following from a distance, is put on trial as well by a bunch of bystanders and wilts before the court of popular opinion. Peter is deeply ashamed as the Lord looks directly into his soul.

We are hardwired to desire approval. The problem is that we seek our approval in the wrong places. Rather than trying to impress others, we see that it’s preferable to seek approval from the only court that counts.

Chiaroscuro is an Italian term that describes an artistic technique, popularized by Renaissance painters like Leonardo DaVinci, and perhaps most famously, Caravaggio. Chiaroscuro uses bold contrasts between light and dark tones that add depth and drama, creating tension, mood, and emotion within a composition. 

As we continue to read in our salvation story, our author Luke paints a very dark picture: the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. This wasn’t just betrayal. Judas, one of the twelve, betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Religious, civil, and military authorities came against Jesus at night with swords and clubs as if detaining a dangerous criminal. Even the disciples contributed to the tension of the moment by violently lashing out. But in contrast to all of the descending darkness was the light that emanated from Jesus. 

We too live in a world dominated by darkness. Jesus’ merciful healing of the servant is a dramatic reminder to turn from darkness and instead walk as children of light.

Pastor and theologian John Piper writes, “Prayer is a walkie-talkie for warfare, not a domestic intercom for increasing our conveniences.”

In the previous episode of our salvation story, Jesus warned his disciples about the hardships that they would face. Despite the privilege of being called apostles, who would one day rule and reign with Jesus, they were called to sacrificially serve. Despite Peter’s overconfident protests, they would all be spiritually sifted by Satan. Different from their previous mission in which they experienced success, now they would experience opposition. Just like Jesus, the disciples were called to suffer. 

Their immediate response was to take up arms. They scrummaged around and found a couple of swords, ready to fight to the death. However, as we continue to read, we see that Jesus modeled for them a more powerful weapon, earnest prayer. 

Jesus was about to face the single greatest trial and temptation of his life. This would make those 40 days in the wilderness seem like child’s play. Burdened by the thought of bearing in his body the sin of the world, Jesus cried out to the Father. 

In a sad bit of irony, while Jesus agonized in prayer, the disciples fell asleep, symbolizing their vulnerability in the midst of spiritual battle. Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane on the night that he was betrayed serves as a wake-up call for us all. Trials and temptations are sure to come. But God strengthens us when we pray.

Mean Joe Green was the backbone of Pittsburgh’s steel curtain defense that led the Steeler dynasty to four Super Bowl titles. Dan Marino is regarded as the greatest pure passer the NFL has ever seen. Dick Butkus was a Chicago Bears legend who struck fear into opposing offenses with his ferocious tackling. Jerry Rice is still the career leader in receiving yards with 22,895, 5000 more than the next closest wideout. Their superior skill and physical dominance made these men some of the gridiron’s greatest. 

But what does it take to be great in the kingdom of God?

Continuing in our salvation story, we read that the disciples were arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest. The aura of being apostles and the anticipation of ruling in the coming kingdom blinded them to Jesus’ imminent death. Peter, the most outspoken and naturally gifted leader of the group, boasted of his deep and undying commitment to the Lord. However, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial and prepares all of his disciples for the hardships that would come.

Becoming an NFL legend is no easy feat, nor is greatness in the kingdom of God. As disciples, we are called to sacrificially serve. We will be spiritually sifted. And, like Jesus, we are called to similarly suffer. There is no escaping hardship. It is the inglorious path to true greatness.

On the first Monday each September, we celebrate Labor Day. Common traditions include parades, picnics, and barbecues. While most people enjoy the long weekend, many may not know the holiday’s origin or why it is observed.

So it is with the Lord’s Supper. Everyone has undoubtedly seen, and most people have likely participated in, this sacred ritual that Christians have observed for more than 2000 years. But many might be mistaken about its meaning. 

Luke’s original readers were Gentiles. They weren’t as familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures. They could have mistaken the Lord’s Supper for some mystical, ritual sacrifice more akin to their previous worship of pagan gods. 

So, as we continue in our salvation story, we learn that the church’s regular observance of the Lord’s supper was rooted in Jewish Passover, which Jesus celebrated with his disciples on the night that he was betrayed, transforming the Old Covenant meal into a New Covenant symbol. The Lord’s Supper is a forward-looking, celebratory meal of thanks, a backward-looking, unifying meal of remembrance, and an inward-looking, solemn meal of reflection. 

Eating the bread and drinking the cup doesn’t save us, but it does remind us of the One who has. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for you and me. Therefore, we commemorate the Savior and His sacrifice by observing the Lord’s Supper regularly.

“The Devil made me do it.” In 1981, Arne Johnson of Brookefield, CT was charged with first-degree manslaughter for killing his landlord. In the first case of its kind, Johnson’s lawyer argued that he was not responsible for his actions due to demonic possession.

Continuing in our salvation story, we begin to read about the events leading up to history’s most heinous crime, the murder of Jesus. The religious leaders were conspiring to kill him. Luke then tells us that Satan entered into one of the twelve, Judas, who willingly went along with these sinister plans. 

Their plot was actually part of a larger, cosmic drama between great spiritual forces. Though Satan was actively working to subvert the plans and purposes of God, Jesus demonstrated that he was the one in control. He’d intentionally gone to Jerusalem. He knew that his hour had come and all the arrangements had been made. While Judas followed the influence of Satan, the disciples followed the instructions of Jesus. 

So it is for you and me. The Devil doesn’t make us do anything. Satan has no power over us except what we allow. Moment by moment, decision by decision, we choose to either succumb to Satan or submit to Jesus. This is how we deal with the Devil.