I love numbers and math. One of my first career aspirations was to be a high school math teacher. Then a disastrous semester with Calculus 3, Linear Algebra and Set Theory caused me to rethink my career path. In fact, the only “F” on my college transcript in in Calculus 3. The failure was quite impressive because I thought I was doing OK and didn’t realize how poorly I was doing. To be fair, my instructor was a doctoral student who didn’t like teaching nor students. Still, the numbers tell the story.
I still love math and teaching. I have on occasion, been a substitute teacher at the high school. I really enjoy it, and I cherish the friendships I have with students. Those in my congregation also know that I often work math into my sermons. The numbers tell the story.
Many people admire Jesus even if they are not Followers of Jesus. He was compassionate, wise, humble, patient, and often pushed the boundaries to include those on the fringes of his culture. The four biographies of Jesus are called the gospels. Two include the story of his birth. Most share his interactions with different people, his miracles, his teaching and sermons and parables, all with differing perspectives. Some share unique stories, like the gospel writer John’s account of Jesus’ encounter with a woman at a well. The gospel writer Mark would fit well with today’s bloggers who want to get the basic information out there and then move on to the next events. However, there is something valuable we might miss unless we “math out” where each gospel write gives the most emphasis.
The gospel writers give extraordinary emphasis to the last week of Jesus’ life. Jesus was about 33 years old when was crucified. (executed) This equates to about 1,716 weeks. Therefore the last week before his death and resurrection was .05% of his life as a human on Earth. However, 21% of the gospel of Luke focuses on his last week; 29% of the gospel of Matthew focuses on his last week; 43% of the gospel of Mark focuses on his last week; and 47% of the gospel of John focuses on his last week.
What do the numbers reveal? If anyone is going to understand who Jesus is and what was his mission and purpose they must give proper weight to the last week of his life. This is reinforced by Jesus himself who, during his life and ministry, often foretold and tried to prepare his disciples for all that would unfold during his last week. In order to understand Jesus, one must seriously consider his last week, especially his betrayal, his unjust trial, his crucifixion and his resurrection. The number tell the story.
Some Christian traditions celebrate a special season called Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates on Easter. This serious consideration of Jesus’ final week is the focus of the 46 days of Lent. It is why some Christian traditions begin Lent by receiving the sign of the cross with ashes on Ash Wednesday. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the last week of his life, he knew he was destined for a cross. However, Jesus also knew that the cross would not have the final word. The final words would be “He is alive.”
So it is with Lent: we begin the journey fully aware that a cross lies in our path. However, we also know that since the tomb was empty (and is still), death is defeated. So, we take up our cross and follow Jesus, secure in the knowledge that because he lives, we too shall live. This is Jesus’ promise from John 14:19: “Since I live, you also will live.”
• The Rev. Tim Harrison is the senior pastor at Chapel by the Lake.
