From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. – Matthew 16:21
We are entering that season in the church calendar where focus shifts in the direction of reflection and self-examination – the forty-days otherwise known as Lent.
To that end Rebekah was invited to lead an Ash Wednesday service at Howard Memorial. She preached about Jesus standing in front of the “Gates of Hell” and then turning – both literally and physically – toward Jerusalem and The Cross.
Hence the “imposition of ashes” and the sign of the cross.
More and Better Life
This is a powerful place to begin. The scene plays out in Caesarea Philippi, on the northern edge of Jewish religious influence, a setting more identified with paganism and emperor worship than the God of Israel.
When Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, it is so that everything separating us from God will be defeated, opening the way for life –“more and better life than we could ever imagine” (John 10:10).
I have stood where Jesus stood, right there in front of the “Gates of Hell.” The place opens up as a dark fissure in the side of a hill. What I want to do, figuratively, is to wrestle with every evil that threatens those I love and then stuff it all into that deep chasm of separation.
I want to see everyone I love set free – for love and for hope and for grace.
Healing can be costly
These first few days of Lent, I am thinking about how powerful God’s love and hope and grace can be. I am thinking about the grace that comes when we intentionally turn away from what is destroying us, and when we allow Jesus to wrap his arms around us. And I am thinking of the question Jesus still asks the paralyzed man at the pool – “Do you even want to be healed?”
I understand that healing can be costly. Was the man also paralyzed by stubborn pride? I know I can be. Was he paralyzed by denial? I know I often am. Was he paralyzed by shame? It can be immobilizing. But none of that matters to Jesus, because Jesus will not shame us he will lift us up, Jesus will encourage us, Jesus will heal us and he will set us free.
If only we give our permission. If only we turn toward the light. If only we are willing to acknowledge our need.
Jesus will not shame us he will lift us up, Jesus will encourage us, Jesus will Heal us and he will set us free.
I am not sure why, but as I was completing this post a hymn came to mind, one that I have not heard in over fifty years. I remember in particular how my dad loved to sing this with the choir at Folkestone Baptist. The poet is Christina Rossetti, who also penned In the Bleak Midwinter.
If you can, read the words out loud. They are powerful
1. None other Lamb, none other name,
None other hope in heaven or earth or sea,
None other hiding-place from guilt and shame,
None beside thee.2. My faith burns low, my hope burns low;
Only my heart’s desire cries out in me
By the deep thunder of its want and woe,
Cries out to thee.3. Lord, thou art life, though I be dead;
Love’s fire thou art, however cold I be:
Nor heav’n have I, nor place to lay my head,
Nor home, but thee.
None beside thee – DEREK