Minister’s Musings …

Luke writes in the 9^th chapter, verse 51, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to  Jerusalem” (NRSV).

Is it not amazing that knowing what awaited him Jesus trekked to Jerusalem, and ultimately his cross. What courage, dedication, and most importantly, faith it took to put one foot in front of the other on that final journey. His followers didn’t understand after three years in his presence. His friends could not understand after years of laughing, crying, eating, drinking, talking, and praying. The Sadducees and Pharisees did not understand the fate that awaited Jesus. The townspeople, the m, the dying, the outcast only knew that this man who was traveling through the countryside was special. He was different from the rest. He loved them all, unconditionally.

This month we will share in what awaited Jesus in Jerusalem. We will share his stories and hope. We will talk about God’s gift of grace. We will give thanks that Jesus said, “Thy will be done.” We will remember. We will not forget. We will celebrate as the living manifestation of Christ in the world. We are the Church, the many faceted parts of the one body of which Jesus is head. We will give songs of praise and thanksgiving for God’s presence in our midst.

Luke shares one of Jesus’ final remarks to a criminal on a cross - a remark that gives us, you and me, eternal hope. Jesus says to him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (23:43 NRSV). It is that promise. It is that affirmation. It is that gift of grace that keeps me hopeful. It is that promise that enables me to continue going even when the path seems rocky. Thanks be to God for loving me (us).

Blessings,
Alan