Final Thoughts

Today is Palm Sunday. We are entering Holy Week. 

When you stop and ponder all that happened to Jesus between today and next Sunday, Easter, how could it have been possible? Christ entered Jerusalem in triumph and in a few days had the crowds turn against Him demanding His death. And within three days of His crucifixion and death, He arose from the dead, the Son of God.

The Romans had only conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC, and Herod the Great was declared “King of the Jews” by the Roman Senate in 40 BC. The Maccabees and Hasmoneans control of Judea was still very much within living memory when Jesus was born. That probably is what precipitated Herod’s decree sending the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. 

The Jews were considered by the Romans a rebellious people so the crucifixion of one more revolutionary zealot was business as usual. Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, was the ruler of Galilee and Perea for Christ’s life. Nazareth was under his nominal control as was most of the land surrounding the Sea of Galilee. 

When Jesus entered, Jerusalem was governed by the High Priest Caiaphas and a council. It was with the Sanhedrin that Jesus was accused of blasphemy. They wanted Jesus executed, and the only person who could order that was the Roman Governor, Pilate.  While the description of Pilate’s verdict in the Gospels is of vacillation. Both the secular versions written by Josephus and Philo have Pilate taking a much more vicious and political stance for the execution.

The Prophecies of Isaiah were known to the Jewish people.  From the very beginnings of Jesus’ ministerial life, He fulfilled what was foretold by the prophet. Christ always had the scriptures foremost in His mind, and they were reflected in His teachings. 

Holy Week was meant to be “Shock and Awe.”  It begins as adoration of a man by a rebellious people looking for a political savior, then comes betrayal, suffering, and death, followed by the Resurrection of the Son of God. The next 40 days until His Ascension is a period of doubt and belief by His apostles and followers. Christianity is born.

Our Christian foundation is one that requires faith in the improbable but not the impossible. Exactly what is required to be a Christian today? Is it the performance of good works? Or do you merely need to believe in Jesus as your Savior?  

To me Christianity, is about being a servant of others besides the acknowledgement of Christ as God. If all being a Christian means is acknowledging Him as the price of salvation, then what is required is not enough. We are not living as the Gospels teach with one’s obligations to all of mankind. If the former is the case, then how can you be living a life emulating Christ?  

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Friends and Neighbors of Martin County is your eyes and ears so that you know what is going on in Martin County’s municipal and county governments. I attempt to be informative and timely so that you may understand how your tax money is being spent. Though I go to the meetings and report back, I am no substitute for your attending meetings. Your elected officials should know what is on your mind.

Tom Campenni 772-341-7455 (c) Email: thomasfcampenni@gmail.com