I JUST NEED TO SIT DOWN…AND THINK
These days of the Corona virus can be grueling. Our minds are full of concerns and questions. In fact, we spend energy trying to think about how it will work out, but in the end we don’t know all the details. As I said, these days are grueling.
Jesus has just faced a rather grueling day.
Perhaps you think, that because he is Jesus, he can handle it. Yet here I always wrestle with the Jesus who is fully divine and fully human. As a fully human person, I would think he would be feeling the strain of the day.
He has had to wrestle with the religious in the Temple, and now the disciples are going on about the grandeur of the Temple.
Jesus sits down…
He has a lot on his mind. He begins to reflect and share with the disciples.
It seems to spill out of him. In what I perceive as a rapid-fire list of thoughts, Jesus says:
· As you (we) try and sort out all that is happening, let no one lead them (us) astray.
· Don’t be alarmed as you (we) hear about wars, or kingdoms against kingdoms, or earthquakes or famines.
· Be on their (our) guard—even while they (we) are handed over, beaten—why?
· Because the Gospel must be proclaimed to all nations…
The text goes on. I had in an earlier revision of this reflection listed out all what Jesus says. It is rather overwhelming as He is describing both the conflict, the destruction of the Temple and all that follows.
I am struck by the detail that “he sat down”.
He notes it will be difficult.
He notes they (we) must “be on our Guard”.
He notes and urges them (and us) to stay awake.
Jesus is, in his tired state, simply laying out not only what is to happen, but also what is on his mind. He is concerned for the disciples. He is concerned for all who follow.
Jesus is concerned for all that we face. You can hear it as he gives voice to the concerns of his heart.
Jesus sitting down makes sense.
He needs to slowdown and engage with the Father and those around him. We see all that spills out. We know today that what he speaks is true. Yet, I am struck by him in this scene.
Where are you today? Do you need to sit down with God and lay it all out? Can you picture Jesus sitting with you?