"The Lenten Pilgrimage" - Day 33

Friday, March 26th  

     “Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.  For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon.  After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’  But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.”

               Luke 18:31-34

     We cannot speak fully of our Christian faith without acknowledging the reality of the mysterious workings of God.  None of us can fully know the mind of God.  Paul referred to the ministry of the Apostles as “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1b). 

     Throughout the gospels, Jesus’ disciples lack of clarity is really clear to see.  The model for his messiahship, the manner of his death, his reign and his kingdom….none of it fit popular religious expectations. 

     Since we have the ability to look back at these ancient stories from the perspective of generations of Christian teaching, we may be tempted to shake our heads at the apparent thick-headedness of the disciples.

      But perhaps we would do well to reserve judgment on our faith predecessors and consider the possible limitations of our own understanding, while giving some serious thought to the practical implications of truly calling Jesus the Lord of our lives.

Prayer    

     O Christ, we confess we always have more questions than answers.  Like the confused 

     disciples who traveled with you along the Sea of Galilee, we try to mold you into the image

     that aligns with our ideals and preferences.  We want you to save us, on our terms.  We're

     much more eager to receive you as Savior, than to serve you as Lord.  Forgive us, we pray.

     Confront our self-serving theologies, convict us of our sin, and restore in us your image.  In

     your holy name we pray.  Amen.