Way
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
No Matter How Clearly We Think That Is Our Way,
God Has Other Plans For Us.
Joel 2:21
Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!
Luke 19:37-38
As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’
Words of Grace For Today
We want results.
Now is better, though we are willing to wait until …
Say, tomorrow
or the next day at the latest.
But by then give us justice based on truth and leaders that lead instead of rulers who oppress with lies, fake news, and greed for themselves and the rich and corrupt.
So when Jesus shows up in Jerusalem, famous for his deeds of healing people and his preaching that has set the corrupt religious rulers teeth on edge, the people (not the leaders) gather to welcome him.
They create a poverty version of the red carpet.
God knows enough of their blood has been spilled to colour the whole way before Jesus in red leaves and dirt, and they need a reason to hope and celebrate.
We, too, need reasons to celebrate
as we see the world falling apart into the hands of the rich and corrupt.
We want God to put it right.
So we, too, put out the red carpet for Christ,
as long as he will set things right,
for us, with us on top while others may suffer.
Doch!
God has other plans, and God planned for all this even when God created the earth and all the universe with a Word.
That Word is not what we expect: us in the driver’s seat of prosperity and comfort.
Rather …
Well that is the story of Holy Week.