Luke 9:39-41 (ESV)

[39] And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. [40] And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” [41] Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”

In Luke 9 an unclean spirit had shattered a boy, but Jesus healed him. The people standing and watching were an unbelieving and twisted generation, but Jesus went on to Jerusalem, to go to the cross, to heal them. The people in Jerusalem were a people blind to the majesty of God, but Jesus died to reveal the majesty of God and give them life. He gave his life to give them life.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. People were worshiping and praising God, waving palm branches, and celebrating his arrival. He was chastised by the Pharisees, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples” (Luke 19:39). He responded, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40). They failed to see the power and authority of the One and Only Son of the Father. They looked to religious activity, law, and self-discipline to bring about spiritual life. They failed to understand that they were broken, battered, and oppressed. It is not religion that brings us freedom. It is not spirituality that brings us freedom. It is not a pastor, or the church that brings us freedom. It is the power of God revealed in the Son of God that brings freedom.

Jesus rode into town being worshiped and praised, yet the townspeople said, “Who is this?” God was in their midst and they were clueless. Our communities are made up people, broken, shattered people, who are clueless. They are blind to the majesty of God. But Jesus…