The Home Stretch

Jesus' disciples have followed him now for some three years.  The last stretch of the journey has been particularly difficult for them.  The synoptic gospels are unanimous that in this home stretch toward Jerusalem and the celebration of the Passover, that Jesus had foretold his own death three times.  These statements, though clear to us, were certainly enigmatic and confusing to them.  At the same time, as the gospels portray it, Jesus began to emphasize more and more the costliness of discipleship.  On top of that, the last leg of the road to Jerusalem is physically demanding, being steeply uphill.

A little over six years ago I ran my fifth marathon- the Kiawah Marathon down near Charleston.  I was well-trained and felt good for most of the run.  I had told myself that I wanted to keep an even pace and do the first twenty miles as efficiently as I could.  At mile 20 I would assess things and if I was still feeling good would push the pace and go for a good finish time.  I remember very well consciously deciding at mile 20 that I was going to push hard.  The finish wasn't much further, "no guts no glory!"  I should have known better than to think that the last 10 kilometers would be easy.  

Now the end of the road is in sight for the disciples.  The Holy City lay before them, the gold on the temple gleaming in the sunlight.  Now their Lord was going to Jerusalem, assuredly to take the throne rightfully his and put everything right.  The choice of a donkey on which to enter, being an enactment of prophecy from Zechariah, fuels their messianic expectations.  This is it!  They've reached the end of the road and Christ's reign will begin in a matter of days and miles.  It is no wonder that the disciples in Luke (and crowds in the other three gospels) cry out for joy.

We approach the home stretch in this season of Lent.  I'm sure that in most every church this Sunday the kids will look awfully cute walking in waving palm branches while the congregation sings, "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" or something similar.  The end is near.  The triumphant chords of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" are almost ringing in our ears already.  It's not quite that easy though.  The last week, Holy Week we call it, wasn't a week of coronation.  It was a week of public confrontation with the religious authorities in Jerusalem.  It was a week of betrayal, pain, and humiliation.  Ultimately it was a week of death.  We can't truly apprehend the joy of Palm Sunday and the utter ecstasy of Easter Sunday without realizing that these last six days (like the last six miles of a marathon) are the most painful of all.  In these final days Jesus did indeed live out his role as Israel's messiah.  He did it in a manner misunderstood by the disciples, but ordained by God.  He did it, he died, to  provide life for all who believe.


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