The Old Testment lesson is the promise (covenant) of God to become the Messiah for his captive and exiled people, Israel. His greatest promise is that he will give them a new heart and a new Spirit.

In the Epistle lesson, we should see the importance and need for every member of the Church to fulfill his or her calling. Anything less leaves a void in the Church and some of God's intended work left undone.

The Gospel lesson shows a basic misunderstanding of nature and work of the Messiah. Even the Twelve Disciples expected the Messiah to rule over the world from the Kingdom of Israel.

ISRAEL: SEND US A MESSIAH!

In the time of Ezekiel, the people of Israel were held in captivity in Babylon. There was little room for optimism about the future. Being virtual slaves, the only hope of the people for deliverance was through intervention from the outside. There was one vague hope:"When Messiah comes, "they said,"he will deliver us. The Messiah will restore the kingdom and return us to our land." The Messiah did not come, although God moved in their behalf to bring relief. The people eventually returned to Israel through the intervention of two benevolent Persian kings, Cyrus and Darius.

Centuries later, the land of Israel was occupied by the Romans. The Jews still lived in the land, but it was no longer their land. Worship. the law, and their very existence was subject to every whim of the Romans. They longed for freedom and control of their own destiny -- but again, their only real hope was for outside intervention. "When the Messiah comes," they said,"he will restore the kingdom and return the land to our control"

Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth as the Messiah sent from God. He worked many miracles, demonstrating the power of God in his life. Through him, many demons were cast out. The lame walked. Lepers were cleaned. People were healed by him after the medical professional had given up on them. The blind received sight. He walked on water, calmed storms and turned water to wine. He fed thousands from a boy's lunch, and had more food left over after the meal than when he started. He brok up at least three funeral gatherings.

The Disciples of Jesus witnessed all this. "Jesus must be the Messiah," they thought."In his power he will bring Israel to new glory," they were certain. He will rule the world from Jerusalem," they decided. Lord, when you come into your kingdom, let us sit on either side of you." they begged. They believed thet outside intervention in the plight of Israel was at hand in the power of Jesus. Messiah is here, and everything is finally going to be set right for Israel."

The followers of Jesus closed their ears and minds to his teachings about suffering and death. He's just being pesimistic," they must have though. After all, wouldn't we think that way? "How could he be crucified?" they doubted. "We have seen his power, and no force on earth could stand up againist it to harm him against his will!"

THE MESSIAH DECLINES THE NOMINATION

On Palm Sunday, Jesus heard the accolades of the crowd. If he wanted to rule the world, the time was at hand. He came to the Mount of Olives, the hill overlooking Jerusalem -- and wept over the city and its people. Jesus went across the valley to the temple, drove out the merchants and the moneychangers, then went back up the Mount of Olives to Bethany.

The crouds in Jerusalem for Passover turned against him. A few days after Palm Sunday, some of the people who had shouted, "Hosanna!" changed their cry to, "Crucify him!"

Did Jesus miss his chance? No, the Messiah simply was not the answer to the political woes of Israel. Jesus, indeed, came to lead them, but his instructions were: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." To one rich man he said, "Sell all that you have and give it to the poor, then come and follow me. The salvation which came to Israel through the Messiah was spiritual in nature -- and the way of the Messiah led to suffering, persecution and martyrdom for those who followed him. This wasn't exactly the glory they had planned for themselves.

NO NEW MESSIAH FOR YOU

LIke Israel at both time of Ezekiel and of Jesus, you find yourselves in a strange land with no obvious control over your own destiny. The world has changed around you. Many of the older families of the church have passed on or moved away. Even many who still attend worship no longer live in the area of the church. You have gotten older as a congregation, and there are few younger members to take your place and provide leadership for the future. Relative prosperity has taken away any sense of need in the families of today. Whatever people think they need, they find a way to buy, even if it adds to their often huge credit card debt. Few perceive any need for things they can't buy. Highland Church desperately needs to attract younger members from the neighborhood of the church; but most of the families seem to have no interest in what you can offer them, or in a the package it is wrapped.

Add to this the long process of finding a new pastor, with several changes in leadership before the last nine months. Now, the search has come to an end, and there is a natural tendency to anticipate the arrival of a new called pastor as Nivana Shangri-La --- or coming of Messiah. When the new pastor comes everything is going to be all right again. (When Messiah comes, the Romans will be put in their place!) (When Messiah comes, Israel will rule the world!)

There will be no new Messiah. I am certain that Pastor Judith will decline that nomination. Don't get me wrong. I am certain the Judith Kelley is a wonderful, caring, experienced leader -- but when she gets here in a couple of weeks, all of your old problems and challenges wil still be here, and when the euphoria is gone, they will still be staring you in the face. No new Messiah is going to call down a legion of angels from Heaven and make them go away. Judith will lead you, if you will allow her to do so -- but make no mistake -- the way will be hard, and it will take everything you have. Jesus Christ and his Church will have to be of first importance in your lives.

You are a wonderful congregation. You have done almost all I have asked of you. You have given me respect and friendship, and I have not heard one unkind word directed to me. You are doing pretty well at applying that Rotary 4-Way-Test to to all the things you think, say and do. You can make it even easier. What would Christ have to say concerning the thing you are thinking, or are about to say or do? You have many talents, and things always get done well -- though by too few people. I am sure that you will be anxious to learn and to serve, and that you will continue to welcome newcomers to your midst with open arms and hearts.

You and Pastor Judith have a bright future ahead -- but it wan't be easy to claim it. My prayers will be with you!

Shalom

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