The wilderness of blindness, overshadowing the Mount of Olives
Albert Bogle
April 13, 2025
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Luke 19: 28-35, 22: 39-46 (NIV)
Luke 19
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
Luke 22
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cupfrom me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a]
45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Introduction to Holy Week
We commenced this period of Lent thinking about Jesus at the very start of his ministry, fasting in the wilderness, facing the three great temptations of humanity - fame, wealth and power. Now, we come into Holy Week, towards the end of his earthly ministry, we discover Jesus alone, facing an internal turmoil, in a wilderness of deceit and lies, as friends desert him, and his foes plot against him. Lifted high on a cross, unlike a bronze serpent from another wilderness, he hangs in excruciating pain, offering God’s healing and forgiveness to those seeking peace in their lives.
The cross today still stands as a symbol of willing obedience and costly grace. Down through the generations the love of God is seen to be stripped bare drawing in the gaze and wonder of all humankind. Some stand mocking, others stand puzzled, while others gaze upon their healing and his brokenness,’lost in wonder love and grace'.
Reflection
Have you ever thought that in our first reading above Jesus could have used the popularity of the crowd on Palm Sunday to bring about his political ascendancy? He could have argued that he never asked for it, but the road to power was being provided for him. Instead, in our second reading, he chose the road of obedience and service. This time he asks that the task of the cross be removed from him but quickly turns his doubt into obedience, becoming the suffering servant.
Love stripped bare, exhausted through sorrow and deep hurt, weeps for humanity. Jesus reveals love’s cost and its shame as he weeps over the city.
Obedience acted upon in the midst of doubt is true belief. The call to the church and each one of us is to be obedient. “Come follow me” he says. Instead we are tempted to hide our faces from him. Yet, unless we gaze upon his suffering, we will never recognise his glory.
Prayer:
Lord,
Your humanity cried for all humanity
In a city blind to divinity
The blindness still remains
Forgive our blindness
Lord,
Your divinity saved humanity
With a love blind to our faithlessness
And humanity still turns away
Forgive our fear of love
Lord,
Turn our hearts to eternity
That we might look to see a different city
Where all tears are wiped away
And every lasting light brings joy eternal
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