Lent: Day 33 – They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Mark 10:32-45

This Lenten season is just about over. Perhaps we are not quite at a point in our lives where it seems darkest before dawn, but in the life of Christ, he is preparing to make his way to Jerusalem. We know that the worst, at least from a physical standpoint is about to happen and those who followed Christ were afraid. Even today, at least for me, it is hard to imagine walking towards your own death especially when you are both innocent and not guilty of any crime. Who among us is both innocent and not guilty? Yet by the grace of God, with every step Christ takes towards Jerusalem we are all lifted up. Although the walk is hard to envision, because of Christ’s walk I can envision his death and burial into the darkness of the earth, as God reaching down to the depths of his creation for all who believe. Before I understood God’s Love I walked in that darkness of sin. So today I arise with Christ ahead of me and I’ll joyfully take this walk again, afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Instead of darkness I envision light. Instead of death I envision resurrection.  Instead of continual bondage I envision eternal freedom. We are the forgiven. We are the righteous. We are the anointed. We are the children of God.

Psalm 143:1-12 Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul… 

2 Corinthians 4:1-12 …it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.