I have spent the morning reflecting on these past few weeks. Lent is drawing to an end and we are in our final week. Seven more days until we lay our coats on the ground for a donkey to walk over. Seven more days for our eyes to rest upon the not so distant cross. Seven more days for our bodies to rest on this mountaintop.
As I look back over the scriptures, I discovered the journey of Lent to be like climbing mountain. Of course, we take one step at a time and all that mushy cheesy stuff. But what I am speaking to is something else. We have been traveling with Jesus as he ministers, preaches, heals, and offers us the full picture of the kingdom of God. Our journey leads us to a mountaintop.
Yesterday, I felt we reached the mountaintop. I felt we were given the privilege to look out over the vast love of Christ and see what he sees. The cross, though far off, was visible and the reality sunk in. There will be no other way, though I wish there could. I think we all do in some way. It would be nice to have Jesus around for a little while longer. But could we enjoy this time on the mountaintop without the journey? Could we rejoice in the resurrection without the Lenten journey?
Easter has become a time, like Christmas, that just shows up at the church. Many churches do not really prepare themselves for Easter. Preachers preach on whatever they want to or whatever series they've started or on the lectionary; but do they prepare their congregations for what's to come? Are they creating the freeing space to see Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter in a new holy light? Is that not what this journey does for us? Is that not what this time on the mountaintop do for us?
I reread my sermon yesterday, or homily, it wasn't really long enough to be counted as a sermon. I am not sure I conveyed the message that I felt Jesus was speaking to. We have travelled to the top of the mountain and like the people, we want to meet with Jesus. We want to hear one of his stories. We want him to tell us of God's gracious love. We want him to preach on the coming kingdom of God. We want him to burn the Pharisees one more time. We want to laugh. We want to hear Jesus one more time.
Yet, Jesus says, "No more stories. No more burns. No more sermons. I am only hear for a little while longer. You only have the light just a little longer. Enjoy it. Bask it in it. Sunbathe in it. Soak it in because soon the darkness will come and you will face a great struggle. But have faith because the Son of Man will be lifted up. Yes, I will die. Yes, it goes against what you've heard. Yes, it is true. But have faith because the Son of Man will be raised from the dead. For now, just enjoy this moment. Let us look out over the valleys and enjoy this day. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Just enjoy the view."
We are at the mountaintop. Let us stay here just awhile longer. Let us prepare our hearts and souls for the journey down into the valley of the cross. Let us go with courage and faith. But let us just sit for a moment and enjoy the view. Let's just sit on the mountaintop for a moment.
No comments:
Post a Comment