Do
you ever have those days when you feel like you’re running in circles and going
nowhere? Today’s text might make you feel that way.
One
of the first things that one learns when walking in the woods is that one of
our legs is longer than the other. If one walks for any distance without a
focused destination, one will walk in a circle. That’s where the saying comes
from. It is a statement of truth expanded to describe fearful, frantic,
unfocussed living. Many people who have gotten lost in the snow have discovered
foot prints that they think will lead them to safety only to learn that they
are following their own foot prints from the last time they passed that point.
We
heard much of today’s gospel text a few weeks ago. This time it is in expanded
form. It is greater than it was the first time. Now we are given more
information. So, we come to this text again, having made a circle. If you are
thinking that you are experiencing a moment of déjà vu, don’t panic. Yes, we
have been here before. But we are not just retracing our own foot steps. This
time, we are shown the way out of traveling in circles.
This
time, we are called to walk in the light that leads to the cross and home. We
are called to remember that it is not the person of Jesus
alone that we follow, it is God’s word revealed to us in the person of Jesus the Christ who
speaks to us. It is not his ministry alone, but those prophetic statements
relating God’s intent that the world should be saved. It is the reminder that
God is willing and able to lead us from the slavery of self into the world of
relationship with God and all of God’s people. With this point of reference, we,
ourselves, in the body of Christ , can become sign
posts for others and beacons of hope.
Indeed,
there is much to witness and bear witness to. As we prepare for the week of
passion, with the great entry into the city and the political maneuverings that
will condemn Jesus to a shameful death on the cross, we see that the Son of Man
will be lifted up on the cross in order for the Messiah to be with us forever.
There will be a painful death, but that death will lead to the conquering of
death once for all.
If
we think of Lent as a time of personal sacrifice for self improvement, then
Lent can be a time of running in circles. If, however, we keep our focus on our
destination—the cross and the empty tomb—then our way is made clear.
There
is an old Jewish blessing. “May you be covered with the dust of your rabbi’s
feet.” This blessing does not just speak about relationship, it speaks of
closeness and proximity. We see Christ’s presence around us and follow. Maybe
close enough to be covered with the dust of his feet. Maybe close enough to need
the foot washing of Maundy Thursday. Maybe close enough to discover that, with
Peter, our lives do not always recognize Christ. Maybe close enough to discover
that, with the disciples, we want to flee from the brutality and pain of the
cross. And, maybe, just maybe, we will be close enough to understand that we
need to hear those words of forgiveness that come from the cross in order to
find the way out of the storm and into the place of resurrection living; then
we can discover that Christ is going ahead of us into Galilee, to lead and to cover
us again with the dust of his feet.
It
may be difficult to change our ways, but God’s hope and intent for us continues
to be a welcoming invitation of grace through faith in Christ alone. Our Lenten
journey’s end is near; and it leads to an even more wonderful journey ahead: a
journey of traveling in our savior’s way, into Galilee, into the brokenness of
the world to know healing and wholeness in Christ. It is not fearful or frantic;
it is not unfocussed running in circles; it is intentional, disciplined walking
where Jesus continues to lead us home.
So,
now is the time to lift our eyes from our self-centered, circling footsteps and
to look to the path of the one who has come not to judge the world but to save
it. Now is the time to hear the words that God’s commandment is everlasting
life. Now is the time to keep our eyes on the prize of salvation that is
accomplished for us.
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