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Day Three: Thursday

AN ELEGANT, UNCOMPROMISING INVITATION TO LIVE

Read John 12:20-50.

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again” (vv. 27-28).

Jesus was troubled. Not regarding the big picture. I imagine that he was crystal clear regarding the part he was destined to play in the unfolding story of redemption. But he was uneasy breathing this divine clarity yet living in and through the very mortal body of a human being, 100 percent God, 100 percent human. Jesus knew what was coming and the knowledge had to have introduced a level of dissonance that was, in a way, excruciating.

TROUBLED ON PURPOSE

One of the most remarkable truths about Jesus’ journey to the Cross is the understanding that this was a deliberate, volitional act. Jesus made a purposeful, informed choice with his eyes wide open. Jesus knowingly stepped out, away from the table of admiring friends in Bethany, and turned his face toward Jerusalem. Jesus walked, one step at a time, in the direction of humiliation and the torturous death that he knew was waiting for him.

But why? Why close down the “founder as teacher” genius of the operation after only three years of active ministry? Why did Jesus stroll into the maelstrom at that particular time? Were there not still signs and wonders waiting to be performed? Were there not more disciples to make? Didn’t the Lord have more towns to visit, new people to tend to, and additional wisdom to speak?

Well, the answer to all these questions is yes. And the solution stares right back at us every time we look in the mirror. We have been commissioned to do these things as faithful Jesus followers in this twenty-first century. There’s much more to do in our world today than there ever was at the time of Jesus. We are the hands and the feet and the compassion of Christ; we are the presence; we are the body. We are the proof—or otherwise—of the power that this message holds.

But Jesus had a particular and specific mission, clearly defined within the parameters of time and space. He laid out the essential message and left nothing to add in terms of the spoken word. Because, at the heart of it all, the point Jesus made is simple and pure; it is uncomplicated and direct. The gospel message is an elegant, uncompromising invitation to live.

After three years Jesus had communicated the essence of his vision clearly. But from the moment he died and for two thousand years since, his followers—that would include you and me—have been complicating every word and confusing every nuance until the heart of the gospel has far too often become almost unrecognizable! So I don’t believe there was any more essential truth for Jesus to reveal, any more explanation for him to voice. Our opportunity is to go out there and get busy. And Jesus demonstrated the doing part with unequaled eloquence and profundity.

How did Jesus achieve this? “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1). The NIV puts the verse this way: “He now showed them the full extent of his love” by traveling to Jerusalem to face certain execution and ultimately to demonstrate the victory of light and life over darkness and death.

But Jesus had to turn his face; he had to set his will; and he had to take the first in a series of very deliberate steps.

Our first step is to examine our intention. Approximately forty days from now we’re going to gather in some church building with believers and those on the periphery of faith and the curious to celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the event that kicks off Holy Week.

But the question that’s facing each one of us today is this: “Will I be ready?” What happens during the next six and a half weeks will determine how well prepared we are to take any kind of a journey with Jesus.

We may be invited to wave, cheer, and shout “Hosanna!” as the children lead the way with their palm branches. But somewhere down the road there’s also the chance that following Jesus will eventually lead to some kind of cross. Today, think about what that may mean. And let’s add commitment to our intention and so be on our way.

Prayer: Creator of all life, help us to set our sights and our intentions clearly on Jerusalem. Accompany us on our journey. Feed our souls. Grant us the strength to follow you no matter where the road leads. Amen.