Today begins the second week of our journey. Walking is tiring, but the more I walk the stronger I get. Last week I wandered around the block, took in the gentle ponds, relaxed in the park. But I began a discipline. Each day I go out, I look forward to the time of being. I’m building resources for future encounters.
The season demands my walk. Without the time spent, the effort exerted, the Easter morn will be dull. I noted last week that we as humans seem to be unable to appreciate the good without knowing the bad, to rejoice without times of sorrow, to find value without struggle. Contrast delineates.
We walk to know Jesus—that is the purpose of Lenten journeys. We see him in action. We listen to his conversations. We look for him.
We walk to know ourselves—that too is the purpose of the Lenten journey. We search our hearts and minds for the questions we would ask. We replay the encounters we read as if they were ours. We imagine what kind of questioner we will be. We wonder what our relationship with Jesus will be.
This week we look at those who came to Jesus as skeptics. They had already formed their idea about religion, authority, God, and found Jesus a challenge. So they argue and question. In public they point out their differences. Is he really the prophet or just an imposter? Is he not leading the people astray?
Skepticism is an important defense we as humans have developed to protect us. There are among us those who would lead us to the worship of false gods, there are those who would use us for their own pleasure, and there are those who would capture our souls. There exists a tension within us all that holds both the search for truth and the knowledge of evil.
Skepticism also can overwhelm us and prevent us from seeing the good. Often a back door to prejudice it keeps the skeptic from moving past his own views and seeing new possibilities. Change seems always a threat. Nothing will ever work. Good cannot triumph. So stay with the ways we know.
So listen to those who come to Jesus with questions that challenge who he is. Learn who he is and who you are. Find modern skeptics. Find the skeptic within.
Lord Jesus, as we walk this week strengthen our legs, deepen our breath, fill us with increasing energy. Let us hear the skeptic in us; let us hear your response. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
The season demands my walk. Without the time spent, the effort exerted, the Easter morn will be dull. I noted last week that we as humans seem to be unable to appreciate the good without knowing the bad, to rejoice without times of sorrow, to find value without struggle. Contrast delineates.
We walk to know Jesus—that is the purpose of Lenten journeys. We see him in action. We listen to his conversations. We look for him.
We walk to know ourselves—that too is the purpose of the Lenten journey. We search our hearts and minds for the questions we would ask. We replay the encounters we read as if they were ours. We imagine what kind of questioner we will be. We wonder what our relationship with Jesus will be.
This week we look at those who came to Jesus as skeptics. They had already formed their idea about religion, authority, God, and found Jesus a challenge. So they argue and question. In public they point out their differences. Is he really the prophet or just an imposter? Is he not leading the people astray?
Skepticism is an important defense we as humans have developed to protect us. There are among us those who would lead us to the worship of false gods, there are those who would use us for their own pleasure, and there are those who would capture our souls. There exists a tension within us all that holds both the search for truth and the knowledge of evil.
Skepticism also can overwhelm us and prevent us from seeing the good. Often a back door to prejudice it keeps the skeptic from moving past his own views and seeing new possibilities. Change seems always a threat. Nothing will ever work. Good cannot triumph. So stay with the ways we know.
So listen to those who come to Jesus with questions that challenge who he is. Learn who he is and who you are. Find modern skeptics. Find the skeptic within.
Lord Jesus, as we walk this week strengthen our legs, deepen our breath, fill us with increasing energy. Let us hear the skeptic in us; let us hear your response. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
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