ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
April 12, 2022
There are words in John 12 often associated with the Tuesday of Holy Week. Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” Where was Jesus as tension built and threats were no longer just empty attempts to undermine his work? It was real and only going to get more real. When Jesus spoke of where his followers were to be found, it wasn’t when everyone was happy and the world appeared at ease. It was in the moments where silence on issues of great consequence could no longer be an option. Love, the ways of compassion, a demand for justice were pulled from the ivory towers of philosophical debate and brought to Main Street Jerusalem and whatever town you currently call home. I wish I could tell you that following Jesus consisted of singing Kumbaya and rounding up your bill at the grocery store to help the local food pantry. Now I like the song, Kymbaya, and rounding up your grocery bill to help those in need is not a bad thing. But unless you are a really bad singer, neither one of those is going to cause a disruption of life as you’ve known it. Getting real about love, the ways of compassion and the work of justice are probably going to disrupt some of the things to which you’ve grown accustom. Sorry, but taking up the cross was not just a metaphor for a day on the beach. Have I caused you some discomfort? Sadly, this story will become even more uncomfortable.
I don’t like where this story is going, and even more troubling, is what this story demands of me. Merciful God, I want to be where Jesus is no matter where he might decide to go, but I also know the story of those who believed themselves to be faithful only when faithfulness demanded little. Without your help, I fear my path might be a lot like their path. Help me, I pray. Amen.
