Journey Together with Others

And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Zechariah 12:10

“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far go together.” This is one of my favorite African Proverbs and how appropriate it is for us during this season of Lent as we prepare for Easter. We are not moving toward Easter by ourselves but as part of the full body of Christ. In these days of preparation, whether you are fasting from something or focused on growing in a particular discipline, it is encouraging to know that others are walking this same path.

Jesus modeled well the concept of journeying together through his traveling with his disciples, engagement with people, and spending time with special friends. Jesus spent countless hours with this select group of disciples teaching and mentoring them. During those hours he poured into each what it means to follow him, helped them grapple with understanding his many parables, and encouraged them in their faith.

The disciples listened with their ears and heard how the poor, the outcasts, and the powerless would have a place in his kingdom but struggled with doubt and confusion to fully comprehend Jesus’ teachings. They witnessed miraculous healing of the blind, the lame and the broken yet failed to see Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus walked with them over dirt roads, sat under shade trees, and rested by the seashore, teaching them over and over what it meant to follow Him.

Jesus showed compassion for the crowds as he taught them about God’s Kingdom. When Jesus saw they were physically hungry he used the opportunity to teach the crowd and his disciples. “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat…Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves…They all ate and were satisfied.” (Matt 14:13-21)

Jesus showed compassion for the least of them, better known as children. The disciples rebuked the parents for bothering Jesus with their children. Yet Jesus became angry when he saw them push the children away. “He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them…And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16) What a life lesson for the disciples, the parents, and especially the children!

Jesus knew the journey would be difficult and his teachings would be challenging. “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (John 6:66) Yet though the journey together will take you far, many choose to go it alone but with much different results. As this African Proverb says it well, “The one who walks alone by the river gets eaten.”

Jesus modeled for us the need for others to be in our lives. He found compassion and encouragement in the home of friends as he began his Journey toward Jerusalem. “Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.” (John 12:1-2)

Jesus was probably tired from his long trip and welcomed the warm hospitality of friends before the hectic week ahead.  I wonder what Jesus and Lazarus talked about. The last time they were together Lazarus was in his grave and Jesus was calling out his name. Somehow, I think the conversation between the two went much deeper than just the weather or the latest sports event.

Conversation and food were what Jesus needed.  “Martha Served,” captured well the change in her soul, from worry and anxiety to joy and servant’s heart. Martha now did what she did best, serve others but with a different heart. What about the other sister in the house?  “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3)

Only among friends can you be true to yourself and express your deepest feelings regardless of the ridicule you may receive. Mary took a bottle of expensive perfume and lovingly poured it out on Jesus’ feet as an expression of extraordinary devotion. Jesus would receive her gift with joy and thankfulness compared to Judas who would condemn her for her extravagant waste.

“At the heart of the Christian faith is mystery, because at the heart of our faith is the eternal, triune God. We have the Father who loves us, the Savior who died for us, and the Spirit who helps us to be holy. This divine mystery gives us reason to bow down and worship our eternal God.” (Haddon Robinson)

Jesus left the next morning with his disciples on the way to Jerusalem. He left with a heart encouraged, a full stomach, and the worshipful outpouring of love that only friends can give. In this time of Lent, we have opened our hearts and minds to prepare for the coming days when the world will never be the same again. Jesus began his journey that would break the stranglehold of sin and death. It was a journey that would open the door of the Kingdom of God – a journey that would fulfill God’s promise of redemption and salvation.

LORD, find us faithful. Strengthen our hearts and minds to be one with you, help us to stay open to you with tender souls to your words, and be resilient in our journey forward.

God is great!

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