Gr8 expectations…?

The bungling antics of Silvio Berlusconi looked set to hijack the G8 annual summit this week. As the world watched our key global leaders discussing the economic crisis, hunger, war and climate change, the Italian President’s broken promises and supposed night with a prostitute threatened to disrupt the whole proceedings.

But Berlusconi is not the only disappointing leader in the news this week. Nearly a month after alleged rigged elections in Iran, protesters are still facing bullets, teargas and clampdowns.

In the world of sport, head of Formula 1 Bernie Ecclestone sparked controversy ahead of the German Grand Prix by expressing admiration for Hitler’s ability to ‘get things done’. At a more local level, a secondary school teacher sent shockwaves through the Mansfield community after apparently assaulting three teenagers.

So how does Jesus measure up to our expectations of a leader? Is Jesus guilty of expense scandal and spending time with prostitutes? Some felt he was in this week’s Bible readings, after being anointed with a lavish amount of expensive perfume by Mary.

Is Jesus an embarrassment like Berlusconi, as the Life of Brian film would suggest – a film crowned this week as the most controversial film of all time?

Taking a closer look at John 12 this week we see a leader willing to arrive not on a warhorse but on a donkey; a leader willing to affirm, not abuse the powerless; a leader willing to face scandal and the cross for the sake of others. This is our King, worthy of our costly worship.

Krish Kandiah

http://krishk.wordpress.com/