Journey to Jerusalem: In This Together

Journey to Jerusalem: In This Together

Lord,
One word keeps coming up lately.
I heard it while on spiritual retreat.
I heard while teaching Bible study recently.
I witnessed it and its devastating power.

The word -- Isolation.
One of Evil's weapons -- Isolation.

Lord,
sometimes we call it, "Independence,"
but that's a lie.
For we are most able to be fully human when we acknowledge
our dependence on you
and our interdependence on one another.

Lord,
I've seen it in the spiral of depression.
Isolating from others.
Drawing back from those who really care.
Pulling away from support systems.
Alone. Lonely. Isolated.

Lord Jesus,
that's why Emmanuel is so powerful.
Emmanuel means, "God is WITH us."
Your Incarnation is a felt physical reminder,
"God is WITH us."
The Psalmist knows the truth:
"Even though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil,
for
THOU ART WITH ME" (from Psalm 23)

On this Journey to Jerusalem,
we are NOT alone;
we are NOT isolated.
You are WITH us.
Indeed, even you traveled this painful way to the cross
surrounded by others --
disciples, family, friends, betrayers, deniers, crucifiers.

Ironically,
while crying out, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
you were not isolated...
Your mother looked on in grief.
Your disciples watch in horror.
The thieves crucified with you were there
-- repentant and unrepentant they were there.

No, Lord, we are in this together.
We are walking this hard path together.
We are facing the uphill battle together.

"Be strong and bold; 

have no fear or dread of them, 

because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; 

he will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

"And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Thanks be to God!
Amen.

___________

Track and share your miles by clicking here.

At Westminster Presbyterian Church, we are committing to journey the 6,284 miles from Columbia, SC to Jerusalem, Israel in our walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc.

You are invited to track and send your miles to our church office, we will post those miles online and on banners in the sanctuary and in our fellowship building.  Together we will make our journey to Jerusalem!

I challenge you:

1. How many miles is it from your community to Jerusalem?
2. Invite others to make the journey with you.
3. And pray together along the way.
4. Warning: the journey will be painful; there will be suffering; we will witness betrayal, denial, and death.  And yet, resurrection awaits us!
5. See you in Jerusalem at the empty tomb on Easter morning!