Lent
March 18, 2018
Scripture Reading: John 12:20-33
‘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.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. –John 12:27-33
It is hard to comprehend those last days when Jesus faced what he knew was certain death. I have always believed that even at the very last, if people had recognized what they were doing and turned around, Jesus’ death did not have to happen. Though I think he knew in his heart turning around was not going to happen. People neither like to admit that they are wrong nor face the reality of situations.
Jesus wanted his actions to uplift God before the people so that they could with hindsight say this was of God. Isn’t that the way all of us should live our lives? Do our decisions reflect our relationship with God? Can others readily see that the driving force in our lives is following in the footsteps of Jesus? It is a narrow path to walk and it is easy to slip or take a wrong road. God is always with us and stands ready to help us turn around from our errors, but we cannot turn around until we admit we are going the wrong way.
We do this as individuals and that is a challenge, but we are also called to follow right paths in oneness with all of God’s people which is even harder. How do we find common ground in being the Body of Christ in the world today? How do we work together in harmony rather than waste time and energy fighting with each other? A greater challenge still is learning to work together with all people for a world ruled by love.
Prayer: God who is Love, help us lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees* to move forward in faith working together to bring about your Kingdom. Amen.
*Derived from Hebrews 12:12