THE JOURNEY WITH CHRIST
MCK THIKA CHURCH SERVICE ON 05/04/2020
THEME: JOURNEY WITH CHRIST.
READINGS: PSALMS 118:1,19-29;
EXODUS 33:12-17
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8
MATTHEW 21:1-11,
Have you ever gone for a long journey alone? Have you gone through moments which you felt abandoned and lonely?
“A time is coming and in fact has now come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my father is with me. (John 16:32)
‘… Then all the disciples deserted him and fled’ (Matthew 26:56)
Pain and love
Today we are startingPassion week.We commemorate the betrayal, denial, loneliness, suffering,and finally the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Would we equate the pain of Jesus Christ with the challenges of COVID-19:despair, losses,terror and tears;Confusion brought by imposed restrictions like social distancing,banning of public gathering and closingof churches;quarantine, isolation, curfews, or lock downs?
Christ’s entry to Jerusalem, marks a period of pain and suffering mingled with love, compassion, forgiveness, and restoration. Christ journeyed to pay the ultimate price for humanity.“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has downed.” (Isaiah 9:4).
He is therefore, not transcendent but present with us every time and in every situation since he is Immanuel. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Matthew 1:23). Whether things are looking bad or worse, when all is calm and looking good, he isGod with us.Brothers and sisters, we can afford a song of joy and gladness: “Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalms 118:1,29). Because his love is limitless.
Pain, hopelessness, discouragements, losses,and tears are present with us today. Christ at one time experienced the same. We can trust him who knows, who understands what pain,and suffering is. Nonetheless,He is inviting us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Not alone.
Moses pleads with God to accompany theIsraeliteson their journey to the promised land - Canaan. God’s presence meant a lot to Moses and Israelites. “… if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15); it meant protection, provisions, compassion, victory, conquest and finally settling in the promised land.Godpromises to accompany and give them comfort, above all he confirms his presence with a promise:“And he passed in front of Moses proclaiming,“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. (Exodus 34:6-7a)
Christ reaffirms thispromise when reaches out to help us fromour weaknesses, fears, and worries:“… but he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7). Who else can understand our day to day experiences apart from Christ?He identifies with ourterrifying moments and encourages us to soldier on: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4).
Christ will not remove this situation immediately;“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world...” (John 17:15), but shall accompany us through all the tears, challenges, pains, terror, discouragements, losses brought by COVID-19 and others.“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you.”(Isaiah 43:1-2).
Bonhoeffer a 20th century theologian and martyr articulates the attitude we should have amidst life threatening situations like COVID-19 pandemic.
“I believe that God can and will let good come out of everything, even the greatest evil. For that to happen, God needs human beings who let everything work out for the best.
I believe that in every moment of distress God will give us as much strength to resist as we need. But it is not given to us in advance, lest we rely on ourselves and not on God alone. In such faith all fear of the future should be overcome. I believe that even our mistakes and shortcoming are not in vain and that it is no more difficult for God to deal with them than with our supposedly good deeds.
I believe that God is no timeless fate but waits for and responds to sincere prayer and responsible actions.” (DietrichBonhoeffer 1906-1945).