In this scene Jesus cried out in the temple area where he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.” “I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” Jesus has clarity of vision. He knows his mission. He knows he is God-Man. His whole earthly life has prepared Him for what is about to happen in the next two weeks (according to our Christian calendar). He takes us with Him…on His way…with his clear vision…teaching us what life is all about. Even though our eyes may be clouded by not fully understanding our individual mission – or not quite sure of how to carry out our individual mission to its fullness….Jesus continues to take us with Him. He shows us His human distress in moving forward to complete the mission for which He came. So how could it be any different for us? Why are we sometimes surprised that we are “distressed” in trying to figure out the way to fully live our own unique mission? When people do not understand what we are doing or want to interpret what we are doing with their intentions rather than our own…..Why are we surprised? Jesus shows us the same thing happened to Him as He journeyed to complete his mission/His crucifixion …. And on to His resurrection. Let us pause today and spend some time with Jesus “in His distress.” Let us thank Him for continuing to be “the Way” and for letting us share in His distress as He accomplished His mission for us. Jesus, our Savior and Brother, thank you for showing us in this gospel your distress in making your message known to God’s people. Thank you for showing us the determination and courage that You had….and give us similar courage and determination to carry out our individual purposes in life. Give us courage and help us understand. Amen. |