(With apologies to Mick Jagger)

For most of his ministry, Jesus tried to hide his true identity. He often referred to himself as the Son of Man, and when others tried to worship him or spread the news of his miracles, he told them to keep silent. He didn’t want their praise or publicity. Not yet. His time had not yet come.

But it’s time now. As he makes his way to Jerusalem, the time is at hand for him to reveal his mission. Jesus knows what’s waiting for him in Jerusalem. He knows he will be betrayed, crucified, buried in a borrowed tomb. But he has a mission, given to him by the Father. There’s no turning back now. It’s time to “hold them or fold them” as poker players might say.

I use that phrase because of a kind of interesting obsession that well-known Pastor Ray Pritchard has deve…