The Triumphal Entry matters. Jesus comes shining a spotlight on all things wrong with where humanity has gotten. Instead of a stallion, he rides a donkey. Instead of an army, he has women and disenfranchised men. He challenges the religious order. He critiques the Temple system. He turns over tables. He argues with priests. He quotes scripture to scribes. He reframes for the political leaders an understanding or blessing and God. In other words, he shines a big spotlight into the city. But they weren’t ready to see it.  

Sometimes scripture paints a picture that words can’t quite articulate. In John 12, Jesus eats at Martha and Mary’s house and a lot unfolds at this meal. Lazarus is there, eating. Martha is there, serving. Judas is there, critiquing. Mary is there, anointing. Jesus is there, teaching. What unfolds is the perfect dichotomy for us to see what happens when some people choose to go back to the start and others don’t. For those who do, their actions change. For those who don’t, their sins remain.  

When we’re lost out on the wayward road of sin, we develop quite a taste for an “us vs. them” mentality. We divide people, compare people, and judge ourselves by these standards constantly. This life is exhausting and sinful. But when we return to the start, our thinking changes. How we perceive others shifts. Instead of constantly seeing them as a threat, we see them as Christ does, “a new creation.” Our mind gets reprogramed and everything that was old becomes new.

Returning to the start means we’ve embraced the journey of earnestly seeking a life of spirituality. What happens in our soul is quite amazing when this journey is made. Even in the face of tragedy and pain, our soul learns what it means to “sing in the shadow of God’s wing” because we know “God’s right hand upholds us.” In short, getting back to the start transforms us, and our soul mirrors King David’s in Psalm 63. 

Everyone has a beginning. Everyone started on the right path. Life took us off-center and for whoever reasons sin has kept us off track. But we can return. We can go back to the start. Paul tells us in Romans that no matter how far we’ve strayed, returning is closer than we think. Scripture says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  In short, confession points us back to the start. 

Our wonderful, joyful, painful, sinful, frustrating lives last only a moment, but our ashes cling to the fingers of the One in whom our lives are held complete, the One who loves us most. So, this Lent, live. Not with regret or sin or fear but with the deep conviction that, eventually, we all go back to the start. 

“Arise. Shine. A new light has come. It is from God and it is leading us down old paths.” These ancient words from the prophet Isaiah still ring true today, and they remind us of the truth that something new can in fact happen under the sun. And when we have the eyes to see the radiance of God shining on our old paths, we too “shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Is 60:6).  

Pray for your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Turn the other cheek. Give to those who beg. These re-interpretations of the old teachings and customs must be noticed. Jesus is blatantly shining new light on old, worn paths. 

Luke 6 is Luke’s version of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. These rhythmic verses showcase that the old, difficult paths of being poor, hungry and persecuted are in fact the path that leads to the kingdom of heaven. But the old paths of the rich, prideful and fortunate are cursed to never see the light of Christ. We’d do well to hear from these powerful words again . . . and perhaps repent. 

Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet. He resists such a call at first not feeling particularly capable for such a task. God reminds him, “Do not be afraid. I am with you to deliver you.” I am particularly sure that we feel a lot like Jeremiah still today. God calls us to rebuke what needs rebuking, plucking what needs plucking, but we feel particularly incapable. A good lesson to remember is the same as Jeremiah, “God goes with us and delivers us when we need it.” 

In Luke 4, Jesus is in Nazareth, his hometown. He shows up to the Synagogue and interrupts the worship service in order to read scripture. It is an odd theatrical moment for Jesus. He intentionally reads from Isaiah 61 and announces he has come to fulfill the prophecy of Jubilee. Through him, all people will be set free. There is much to learn from Luke 4, but even a surface reading showcases how Jesus intentionally takes an old understanding of law and re-interprets it in a new light.

At a wedding in Cana, Jesus turns water into wine in order to “reveal his glory.” What I love about this passage is a parenthetical aside in verse nine: “When the steward tastes the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew) . . .” The servants knew. Those who serve alongside Jesus know. Those who listen and do like Christ tells them are able to see in their hearts the power and majesty of Jesus. The same is true for us. 

Today’s worship was canceled due to inclement weather; but thanks to technology, we can still reflect on God’s word together.

"Perhaps you’ve been walking down this old path of self-rejection for too long. The world’s voices have been leading you astray; but good news, they don’t have to anymore. God’s voice is cutting through the noise, and if we choose to listen, we’ll hear it saying, 'My child, you belong. I love you. And in you, I’m well pleased.'”