walking alongside – Holy Cross Lutheran Church

A vision of two people walking a dusty road for seven miles as they leave Jerusalem, heading toward Emmaus. Their steps are heavy, but I do not see them as broken. Their story is recounted in Luke’s Gospel, chapter 24. They are Cleopas and the other one, who leave on Easter Sunday, headed home. But we had hoped, is the phrase that defines this walk. They had hoped that He (Jesus) was the one to redeem Israel. Perhaps you know the story. These two are joined by a third, who asks questions, and is told the story of the one these two were following, and of his death. They have heard from some women in thier company that he has not stayed dead, but they are not convinced. Continue reading “Walking Alongside – then what?”

The narrative in the Gospel of Luke, the 24th chapter, is a post resurrection story. Yet, here we are in the church, in the season of Lent, where we consciously choose to follow the path of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Pain, or the Way of Sorrow, as he goes to his death on the cross. I find great significance in my own life by connecting with the hard story of Jesus’ death – I don’t do it daily, my friends, but I try to do so every Lent, to remind me that the story of God’s love for me involved hard choices, painful ones. And Jesus chose me everytime, out of His great love for me. But I am a stubborn creature, and if you talk to me about pain and suffering too many times, I will begin to tune you out! Continue reading “Taking a walk with Jesus”