Our human lives are full of shadows and half-light. We strive to be noble, yet too often fall short. We aspire to wisdom, yet remain prone to foolishness. We seek truth, but wander in deceit. Left to ourselves, we flicker and fade, trapped in cycles of pretense and hypocrisy.
But into this dimness strides a light. A King walks among us, humble yet glorious. His touch brings sight to the blind. His voice awakens the dead. His grace transforms hypocrites into worshippers. Today we will see three pictures: of extravagant worship that rises from new life, of self-serving hypocrisy, and of the King who reigns with grace and truth. The contrast between them reveals how we might move from darkness into his marvelous light.
A Picture of Extravagant Worship
Using the example of Mary pouring expensive ointment on Jesus’ feet. Have costly, extravagant worship of Jesus, who is worthy of it.
A Picture of Hypocrisy
Using the example of Judas. Hypocrisy is pretending to be something you’re not, not just falling short of a standard. Judas pretended to care for the poor but was actually a thief. Hypocrisy is hard to see, especially in ourselves.
A Picture of the True King
Using the example of Jesus. Jesus combines confidence and humility. Though the crowd hailed him as king, he came humbly, on a donkey, to serve and sacrifice himself for sinners. This shows the generosity and kindness of Jesus.
Come to Jesus as our gentle and humble King, who offers forgiveness, acceptance and grace.
What will you do with this humble King? Will you hide from him in the shadows of pretense, clinging to the junk that fills your hands? Or will you open them to receive his grace? Will you run from him in fear of exposure, guarding the secrets of your hypocrisy? Or will you kneel before him for cleansing and restoration?
There is hope for us because we have a King who does not demand we clean ourselves up, but who instead lays down his life to cleanse us. So rise now, weary sinner. Leave behind your darkness and step into his glorious light. Lay all pretense at his feet, and with empty hands receive his grace. For he has already paid the price of your hypocrisy and sin, that you might be raised to new life and called his beloved child. Come then – worship this humble, glorious King!