Petitcodiac Mennonite Church

Saved From The Trap

Delivered March 16, 2008
by Pastor Eric Henderson

Text: John 12:12 - 19

The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him shouting,
     Hosanna!
     Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord -
     the king of Israel!

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:
     "Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion."
     "Look, your king is coming,"
     "sitting on a donkey's colt!"

His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, "You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!"

Usually we try to avoid traps, because they often involve pain or being a prisoner, or even death.
     Jesus knows a trap is waiting, but rides directly into it.
     The disciples didn't understand what Jesus was doing, do we?

1. 12.12 - 19 Usual triumphant way

   Like windswept fire during a drought, the news of Jesus raising Lazarus from death to life, swept throughout the millions of people gathered for a festival in Jerusalem. Word spread that Jesus had healed a lame man and a blind man. Other stories swirled around the crowd such as Jesus feeding a crowd of thousands from a child's lunch.

   People asked, "could Jesus be the next king like David?"

   There was mystery in this Jesus who called himself light of the world, bread of life, good shepherd.

   Everything was perfect in Jerusalem for proclaiming Jesus king! People were in a festive mood ready to join forces behind a leader like David. Crowds were making their way into the city and to the temple. Jesus was the hometown favorite! The crowd likely thought that if Jesus brought Lazarus to life, surely he could save the small nation of Israel from Roman rule. Many expected Jesus to lead Yahweh's armies to defeat the enemy gods, like David defeated the gods and armies of other nations. So the crowd shouted, "Save us! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!"

   And as Jesus climbed on a donkey it must have reminded them of Zechariah prophesy Almost everything seemed to be pointing to a great rebellion and the triumph of King Jesus and the army of God. Never mind that riding a donkey meant a leader was coming in peace.

   The Pharisees couldn't help notice the excitement and crowd mentality as they observed, "Look, the whole world has gone after him!"

   Today we get caught up in the frenzy and euphoria of the crowd and shout, "Let's join them!" Jesus, Messiah, save us! Jesus king we'll follow you!'

   Hold on! We're reserved quiet somewhat cautious Mennonites, remember? Let's step out of the crowd and look things over more carefully. Just who is this donkey riding Jesus that everyone is calling king of Israel? Where is he heading?

2. 12.1 - 11, 23 - 24 Unusual way of suffering and death

   He's heading up a great parade to get arrested and killed by the chief priests. Jesus even talked about being like a kernel of wheat that needs to fall in the ground to die. Jesus then acts more like a servant than a king by showing love for the disciples by washing their feet. Now Jesus again speaks of his own death and then acts like Moses giving a commandment. The commandment is short and concise. "Love one another as I have loved you. Everyone will know you are my disciples if you love one another." Then Jesus acts like a friend who comforts the troubled by promising rooms in God's house accessed by belief in himself. What is more, Jesus acts like a parent promising to never to abandon children but sending the Holy Spirit to teach, counsel, comfort, dwell within.

   From our vantage point we can't help but notice that Jesus is a king who loves, a king who weeps when a friend dies, a king who gets angry and chases people and animals out of the temple. A king who eats a meal in his honor and lets someone wash his feet with perfume. A king that will soon be dead.

   What a strange and unusual way to be a Messiah or king. People shout Hosanna or save us but Jesus rides to certain death, serves, commands love, shows all kinds of emotions and lets other people show love. What a strange and unusual way to save.

   Jesus knows a trap is waiting, but rides directly into it.

   The disciples didn't understand what Jesus was doing, do we? The simple answer might be Jesus had to die so we could be saved. But with the disciples we've heard Jesus call us to follow, to practice Christ - like living. Does marching into a city, having people shout, Save us! have anything to do we us? Is there a trap that we must ride headlong into to save others?

3. 12.25 - 6 & Philippians 2.5 - 11 Jesus love invites us to follow the unusual way

   The phone rings in the pastor's study, or in your house and the person on the other end says in short, save me from financial ruin, save my marriage, save my child, save me from my addiction, save me from depression or loneliness - Save me!

   The shout of Hosanna - Save us, and Jesus riding into a trap reminded me of a book I have called, When helping you is Hurting Me: Escaping the Messiah Trap by Carmen Renee Berry.

   We've had a short report about Jesus and being a king or Messiah, now let me give you a short report on this Messiah Trap idea.

   The Messiah Trap is a lie that is deadly and deceiving. It is a two - sided lie that, on the surface, appears to be noble and godly and gracious. Side 1 of the lie. "If I don't do it, it won't get done." Side 2 of the lie. "Everyone else's needs take priority over mine." (p.6) Out of balance Messiah's are busy taking care of others, but either won't allow anyone to take care of them, or no one is taking care of them because often the Messiah's needs are unspoken or the Messiah appears to have it all together. Messiah's tend to only give love, seldom receiving love from others or from God.

   Messiah's often help others in an attempt to heal a hurt or wound from their childhood. These Messiahs or "Helpaholics" may have been neglected healthy love and nurture that all children need. (p.18)

   Candidates for the Trap are children:

   • from large families.
   • whose parents are physically or mentally ill, thereby unable to nurture consistently.
   • single - parent families whose parent is overwhelmed by responsibilities.
   • both parents working and have insufficient time and energy for parenting.
   • abandoned by parents to be placed in foster care, adopted, etc. (p.24)

   The eight characteristics evident in most Messiahs or helpaholics are:

   1. Tries to earn a sense of worth by "acting" worthy.
   2. Lets others determine his or her actions.
   3. Needs to overachieve.
   4. Is attracted to helping those with similar pain.
   5. Experiences difficulty in establishing peer and intimate relationships.
   6. Is caught in a cycle of isolation.
   7. Is driven to endless activity.
   8. Stops when they drop. (p.32ff)

   Messiah quiz for various types of helpaholics.

   1. Do you spend your time at social gatherings making sure everyone is having a good time? Are you a pleaser? The Messiah pleaser feels responsible for the happiness and well - being of others and would rather suffer than disappoint.
   2. Was your evening at home again interrupted by a call of someone in crises, and you dropped everything to run and help? Are you a rescuer? The Messiah Rescuers tend to attract people in crises willingly helping them at any time. They actually hurt others by helping others remain dependent on someone to rescue their life. The rescuer gains a sense of power and strength the more people they need to "rescue."
   3. Did you agree to help a friend move on your only free Saturday this month? Are you a giver? Givers fall into the Messiah Trap when the opportunity to give is viewed as an obligation. (p.47) They actually hurt by taking responsibility and control of another person's life sending the message that the receiver is incapable of living responsibly.
   4. Were you up late again last night listening to someone struggle with a problem, but this morning could think of no one you felt could listen to yours? Are you a counselor? Counselors caught in the Messiah Trap are always willing to listen and counsel others helping them identify their feelings and thoughts, but seldom allow others to listen to them or seldom expose their own needs or feelings. The counselor "helpaholic" hurts self and others by promoting one - sided intimacy by always being the counselor, never the counselee.
   5. Did you try to help a couple of friends work out their differences, got caught in the middle, and they both turned on you? Are you a protector? Protectors keep information from others or pass on too much information. They keep the family secrets rather than being honest and open which is the basis for intimate relationships. Protectors hurt others, by controlling information, and gaining control and power.
   6. Are you overwhelmed by the number of groups your are leading, presentations your are making, and study or preparation that has to be done? Are you a teacher? Messiah Teachers try to help whole groups of people taking the responsibility of the need to teach others out of their problems. Teachers may help many, but not have healthy intimate relationships with any.
   7. Do you find yourself so driven to fight for a worthy cause that, between the committee meetings, newsletters, and fundraisers, you are about to drop from exhaustion? Are you a crusader? Crusaders are often angry when others aren't as dedicated to the cause as they. Crusader "helpaholics" hurt coworkers by treating them as workhorses or objects to be used to fight an injustice.
      
      
4. Ch. 6 How the Messiah Trap Hurts Others

   Those trapped Messiah's are out of control of their choices, feelings, and the effect on others. Feelings of inadequacy, powerlessness, obligation and rage motivate the Messiah, not love. Those addicted to helping others have a compulsion that is as destructive as any other addiction. Messiah's use other people to try to heal their own pain. Messiah's tend to give others what they so desperately need to receive themselves. (p. 56ff) Messiah's take responsibility for other's choices and lives.

   Messiah's interventions often block suffering which can be the natural consequences of another's choice. Suffering can lead to growth and intimacy.

   False Messiah's have forgotten that God loved them first, before they were conceived while yet sinners, Christ died for us.

   Getting out of the trap.

   1. Acknowledge our need for help.
   2. Cooperate with God's desire for intimacy of relationship, not busyness.
   3. Take time to listen to self needs and wants.
   4. Acknowledge the damage done to others by taking the true Messiah's place or taking responsibility for another's life.
   5. Learn to accept love and nurture

I asked how did JC demonstrate a healthy Messiah? Or does Jesus life as a Messiah support or contradict some of the main ideas of the Messiah Trap?

1. Showed emotion when deeply moved by the death of friend Lazarus and the grief of others.
2. Jesus not only gave but received from others when he accepted a dinn
3. Jesus life and schedule were controlled by God, not the demands or threats of others. He waited 2 days before going to Lazarus. Jesus chose to go into Jerusalem and face death when the hour had come 12.23.
4. Jesus demonstrated an intimacy with God at all times, especially a time of need. Gethseme encounter hinted at in 12.27 - 8. Intimacy with others by living in a community with a few others - 12 disciples and 4 special friends.
5. Chose to tell the truth about self as Messiah, but one who comes in peace whether it pleased the crowd or not.

My inclination is to make all the connections between Jesus proclaiming self as Messiah - the one who saves, and us and this book. But if I did, I would be trapped. I would be trapped taking responsibility for trying to connect Jesus, your life, your practice of being a follower of Jesus. So I join the disciples and the crowd who don't understand Jesus fully and say, Hosanna - Save us!

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