The Bible: Religion to Relationship

Cultural Context: "Perfect Storm"

There were three interests arrayed against Jesus which also correspond to the "great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3) that is available to every one of us by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.

(Read Luke 19:28-48)

But there was far more going on that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem. His entry into the city of Jerusalem on that fateful day at the beginning of that fateful week can even supply an illustration of three things that change when Jesus enters my life -- or your life.

Salvation comes to the human heart, not as a result of religion -- like that of the Pharisees and Sadducees -- but as a result of relationship. A true, living relationship with Jesus brings about a "great salvation" that no amount of religion could ever do:

1. When Jesus enters my life, forgiveness comes to me because He is my high priest.

• The Sadducees (one of the forces in the "perfect storm") were the priestly party of Jesus' day.
• It was the high priest's job to offer sacrifices that brought forgiveness and cleansing for the people of God.
• Jesus offered HIMSELF as a "once-for-all" sacrifice for our sin.
• When Jesus comes into my life, He brings forgiveness and cleansing.
• Hebrews 4:14-16 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

2. When Jesus enters my life, righteousness comes to me because He is the fulfillment of the Law.

• The Pharisees (another of the forces in the "perfect storm") relied religiously, dutifully, on adherence to the Law of Moses in every detail to try to gain favor in God's sight.
• But until Jesus, not one human being had succeeded in that endeavor, because the Law was not given to make us righteous.
• Romans 3:10-18, 23 As the Scriptures say, "No one is righteous- not even one. [11] No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. [12] All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one." [13] "Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies." "Snake venom drips from their lips." [14] "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." [15] "They rush to commit murder. [16] Destruction and misery always follow them. [17] They don't know where to find peace." [18] "They have no fear of God at all." [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
• The law was given to show us our sin.
• Romans 3:20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
• It was put into place to lead us to Christ, to show us our need of a Savior.
• Galatians 3:24 The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.
• Jesus is the fulfillment of the law.
• Matthew 5:17 "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose."
• So when Jesus comes into my life, He brings righteousness.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (NIV - God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.)

3. When Jesus enters my life, a new power comes to me because He is King.

• A few days after entering the city as a King, Jesus would of course be placed on trial and shuttled between King Herod and Pilate, the representative of the Roman emperor. These earthly kings, who had the power to pardon or sentence Jesus, were confounded by Him. They seemed powerless to do what was right: Pilate even went through the theatrical exercise of washing his hands, finding "no fault" in Jesus, while handing Him over to be crucified.
• Ironically, the true King, the true power, stood right before him.
• John 19:11a Then Jesus said, "You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above."
• Jesus is the King of Kings.
• Luke 1:32-33 "He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
• This is why, after Jesus had died and rose from the dead, his closest followers asked Him, "Lord, are you now going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" In other words, "Are you going to take your throne and exert your power... and, of course, share it with us?"
• Jesus answered, "You shall receive power..." But it was not political, temporal power. It was power of a different kind, but no less important.
• Acts 1:8 "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
• Power to heal, to turn weakness to strength, to resist temptation, to conquer evil, to speak boldly, to endure persecution, etc.
• So when Jesus comes into my life, He brings new power.

Application:

• But remember -- forgiveness and cleansing, righteousness and power, comes as a result of relationship, not religion. It comes when Jesus enters in.