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February 2, 2003 |
"Jesus: Man of Joy" Series |
Pastor Brian Shimer
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"The Letter of Lentulus: Boo! Hiss!"
Mark 1
I. I love a good Melodrama. The villain comes on stage, wearing black,
and someone runs across with a sign which reads: "Boo! Hiss!"
And we oblige. Then the heroine enters, and we cheer, as directed
by that runner with the sign. And on it goes -- the great adventure
until the hero rescues the damsel and rides off with her into the sunset
to cheers. Even the curtain call includes boos and hisses!
If only the church could have known to "boo and hiss" in history, when a villain came on stage to steal the Man of Joy from Christian theology. If we had only shouted: "Away with that!" That's what Grace and Susanna were saying when they read through it this week. But instead, much of Christendom accepted as true a forged document.
Said to be sent by a Roman official named Publius Lentulus in Judea to the emperor around the time of Christ, the letter is a supposed description of Jesus. The official never existed as a ruler in Judea. He did live and died 100 years earlier in Rome. He was a true villain, the true Lentulus, a man who lived such a notorious private life that the Roman Senate ejected him (and considering the depravity of the Roman state, that says a lot!) and he was later murdered. His son was also executed for treason a few years before Julius Caesar was assassinated some 40 years before Jesus was born. (Columbia Encyclopedia)
But it is to this family that this false letter is credited. Most likely of Greek origin, the letter was found around 1421 in Europe. It was published first in Ludolph the Carthusian's Life of Christ in 1474 and then in the introduction to the works of St Anselm, 1491, even though neither of them wrote it. Although little is known of its origin, its impact has been felt for centuries.
Have you ever seen a movie about Jesus where the guy looked like he was a robot with skin -- no smiles, no emotions, solemn? Similar to Ben Hur where the Christ figure is never heard to speak, nor is his face shown, just solemn movements. Such depictions may have been influenced by this forged document.
As you listen to the letter of Lentulus as I read it to you, think about the Jesus you encountered as you heard and read Mark 1 this morning:
"There lives at this time in Judea a man of singular virtue whose name is Jesus Christ, whom the barbarians esteem as a prophet, but his followers love and adore him as the offspring of the immortal God.
He calls back the dead from the graves and heals all sorts of diseases with a word or touch. He is a tall man, well-shaped, and of an amiable and reverend aspect; his hair of a color that can hardly be matched falling into graceful curls, waving about and very agreeable crouching upon his shoulders, parted on the crown of the head, running as a stream to the front after fashion of the Nazarites. His forehead high, large and imposing; his cheeks without spot or wrinkle, beautiful with a lovely red; his nose and mouth formed with exquisite symmetry; his beard, and of a color suitable to his hair, reaching below his chin and parted in the middle like a fork; his eyes bright blue, clear and serene. Look innocent, dignified, manly and mature. In proportion of body most perfect, and captivating; his arms and hands delectable to behold.
He rebukes with majesty, councils with mildness, His whole address whether in word or deed, being eloquent and grave. No man has seen him laugh, yet his manners are exceedingly pleasant, but he has wept frequently in the presence of men. He is temperate, modest and wise. A man for his extraordinary beauty and perfection, surpassing the children of men in every sense."
(Partially quoted by Sherwood Wirt, Jesus Man of Joy, p 34-35; full text found on the web under "Lentulus")
What color is 'a color that cannot be matched'?
This statement makes Jesus less than human -- perfectly shaped, colored, apart from everything we know.
The truth is: Jesus was not human in a way that made him "more than human"-- he was an ordinary man. What did Isaiah say: "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (53:2). What set Jesus apart was not perfect features but his character. The Bible says "God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy" (Heb 1:9, quoting Psalm 45:6,7).
With that statement: "No man has seen him laugh," we need to ask:
Is a person who never smiles or laughs fully human? In the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), Jesus was described as being "perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body…In all things like to us, without sin."
"In All things like to us" the creed says. Would that include laughter? I would hope and think so, wouldn't you? What happens in your life when you laugh? Some laughter is misplaced-- I am not speaking of that. I am not speaking of coarse humor, ridicule, barbs, mocking or jeering. God says these are "out of place" among His holy people (Ephesians 5:3,4).
But I am speaking of the playful expressions of people making light of the bumpy circumstances of life and having fun with each other.(Sherwood Wirt, Jesus Man of Joy, p 34) When families joyfully erupt around the dinner table at some story from the day; when a child comes up with a response so out of the blue it causes you to chuckle; when a pet does some antic that catches you off guard; when you look in the mirror and there you are again!
Karen came up to me this week and said, "Tell me something funny that happened today!" It was a good exercise! Laughter is a part of God's creation of us as human. Jesus if he was fully human had to laugh.
When Actor Bruce Marchiano was to play the part of Jesus in the Matthew movie made by Video Bible several years ago, a friend's 8 year old told her Aunt, "Well, I sure hope He smiles a lot, because in the other movies Jesus never smiled, and I know that Jesus smiles all the time!"
A child knew this!
Hear Bruce Marchiano's description of Jesus in contrast to Lentulus':
"Yes, Jesus smiled; yes, Jesus laughed. Jesus smiled wider and laughed heartier than any human being who has ever walked the planet. He was young. He radiated good cheer. The real Jesus was a man of such merriment, such gladness of heart, such freedom and openness, that He proved irresistible. He became known through Galilee for His genuine strength, the sparkle in His eyes, the spring in His gait, the heartiness in His laugh, the genuineness of His touch; His passion, playfulness, excitement, and vitality: His JOY! He made a dazzling display of love. He set hearts afire. He was an elated, triumphant young man with an incredible quality of life… so different from the solemn religious types He constantly encountered."
(Quoted in Jesus Man of Joy by Sherwood Wirt p 22).
II. Let's turn now to Mark 1 and see if the Jesus we meet there is the one we expect to meet.
Mark tells us that his book is just the "beginning of the Gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God" -- for the Good News is yet being told. It is ongoing. In that sense Mark's book truly has no ending. You and I are yet living it. And the Good News in v. 1 is about Jesus.
A. In verse 14 we begin to hear Jesus' preaching, as he proclaims "the Good News of God."
Read with me what He says in v 15.
"The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
Jesus says, this is "good" news. How do you tell good news? Do you tell it with a smile or a frown? Do you share it with joy or sorrow?
Why would it be good news that this new Kingdom is near?
What is the old kingdom? Satan's!
God's kingdom is not like the enemy's. The enemy's is one of fear and hate. God's kingdom we are told in the Bible is one of Righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).
The word "repent" means to turn around.
IT is what the fisherman do in the next verses. They stop looking at their lives and turn to follow Jesus. Mark says: "They left their nets" (their jobs) and "they left their father" (their families) -- To repent meant a total shift in their priorities.. Jesus is proclaiming a new life, a life of faith in a new kingdom!
B. If the preaching was good news on a joyous theme, how would we expect people to respond? Similarly, right? They'd be excited. They'd want to follow this guy. And they did.
* Rough, tough fishermen, real men who knew real ambition and real goals, and had real problems, saw in this new Kingdom proclaimer someone to follow:
"Immediately" (that is one of Mark's favorite words) they left nets and father and followed! I can guarantee you, the Lentulus Jesus they would not have followed
* People were amazed, astonished at his preaching. Was this just an ordinary day at the synagogue? There is a story of a little boy who was sick on Palm Sunday and his family came home to tell him all about that grand service, palm branches, Jesus coming in on a donkey, the whole works. And this little guy said, "The one Sunday I miss, Jesus goes and shows up!"
These people may have heard Rabbinic teaching for years. Sat and said: So and so says this, that, etc. None would say: "This is the truth!" or "Do this" but only quote others.
But Jesus was teaching as one who had authority! And then a demon manifests in a hearer, and Jesus sends it flying! "He even gives orders to demons and they obey him." This was astounding to the people.
What does the Scripture show? The Kingdom came with Jesus. He brought the kingdom near and was displacing the ruling power of Satan: Evil spirits lost their hold. Sickness left at his command.
The last event in the chapter shows this man being healed of Leprosy. Why did Jesus want him to show himself to the priests? As a testimony to them, he says. In consequence of this guy's disobedience 1. Jesus ministry is restricted to desert areas 2. Heightened controversy with Priests for they have not seen evidence of healings.
C. Through all this we see Jesus: proclaiming, teaching, delivering, healing, preaching this great Kingdom. So vitally alive!
This is Jesus we relate to and know, if we have said yes to His Father's offer of life in Him. And look at what Jesus can show us here in this chapter about how to stay alive ourselves…
Look at how busy and hectic a schedule is demonstrated here. After baptism and that time in the desert, at once much is happening: preaching, deliverances, traveling, challenges.
What does Jesus do? Verse 35 is like a pool of calm in the middle of the bustling events. Let's read it.
What Jesus did to keep himself alive and filled with joy, was to approach His father. Look at the contrast to this verse as opposed to the rest of the chapter. Herein was the secret of his strength. Today you see this table elegantly set here, for two. This is the picture of the communion Jesus experienced. Just him and his Heavenly Father. He spoke and was silent. He communed. We have the same privilege as we open the Word in quiet and reflect.
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