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Waiting without fear
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Wednesday of Holy Week
Psalm 69
I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
There is no music, because this is not a movie. The dust is flying everywhere from running feet. Rumors fly even faster. The Sanhedrin watches Jesus’ every move, waiting for the right moment to arrest him.
We are like a tiny island in a giant sea. The people who praised Jesus when he entered Jerusalem go about their work, forgetting his existence unless they need him to heal their sons and daughters. The rabbis and teachers love to debate with this wise, road-worn teacher from the north, but they have no loyalty to him. His disciples are few. We are nearly alone. And the scribes stare silently at him, ugly in their scorn and dangerous in their fear of Jesus.
The Passover Feast is near. We prepare here as we would anywhere, securing a quiet place for our seder and our dinner. Jesus goes to the temple every day and speaks his mind. He is as wonderful as ever in his words and deeds. We follow him, whisper among ourselves, wonder what will happen next. We understand very little, really.
But no matter. Jesus walks with God, and we walk with Jesus. There is air under his feet, even when he is burdened down with the pain of others. We watch his face change when he prays and know that God is as near to us as he is.
Does it get any better than this? Never. No matter what happens, no matter how the scribes and Pharisees might turn their screws on Jesus, we know how God loves him, and how he loves us. Right inside our souls, Jesus pours his living-water-life. We are all so thankful. Jesus makes us into newborn children every single everlasting day.
When you chose us, Jesus, we heard you say, “Follow me.” And so we did. So here we are. We wait with you, we watch with you, we are afraid for you even if you are not afraid for yourself. And still, whether in the light of dawn or dusk, you are the one who always has the right word to say, the right touch, always looking with such affection on the men and women who come to you. Thank you, Lord. You give us all your love.
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