As Jesus sets his intentions toward Jerusalem where he will accomplish his exodus he sends his messengers (angels) before him (Exodus 23v20), but this is a new exodus story he also sends his messenger before him as the prophet Malachi says (Malachi 3v1) to go ahead of him as he arrives to save and to judge, which is exactly what is to happen on the cross, the place where the trinitarian purposes of justice, mercy and faithfulness are put on display for all to see, all the peoples have seen the salvation of our God. The way of Jesus is the way to the true promised land and it is also the way God returns to his people. The veil is torn, so we can get to Heaven, and Heaven can get to us. I am reminded of Jacob's vision of the ladder between heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending...that ladder is the cross of the Messiah.
Now... the disciples are still stumbling after Jesus trying to understand all this and when they meet some people who do not receive Jesus as he is set to inaugurate the Messianic reign, the Kingdom without end, they immediately think we have to whack these people, they figure they've got the power of Elijah and they will destroy all opposition to the arrival of the Kingdom. Jesus quickly rebukes them, because the Kingdom does not come that way, it comes by the way of sacrificial love, an amazing love full of grace and truth...this is the Way. The Way that will shock and offend, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God. He reminds them again...follow me.
(ref. Luke for Everyone - Tom Wright)
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