And the Lenten journey continues . . .
"Why have you treated us like this?" (Luke 2:48) Mary and Joseph ask Jesus this question when he is twelve years old. On a family trip to the temple Jesus had skipped out on the walk home to stay at the temple talking and teaching the church leaders. Mary and Joseph, I'm sure in a panic, were looking for him. I'm sure this question came from a frantic parent that felt totally disrespected by their child. However, Jesus was no average child.
Jesus was not predictable, you wouldn't even necessarily call Jesus safe. In His ministry, Jesus would go where the church leaders would not. Jesus would serve those that society had cast aside. Jesus asked very hard things of His followers . . . and He asks very hard things of us as well. What does that mean? Some times when we look at what God asks of us . . . give everything to God, those who are last shall be first, do unto the least of these . . . we think "God why are you treating us this way? Why are you asking such hard things of us? Why does following you have to be so difficult?"
We need to remember that God has not taken the easy road Himself. God became human in order to more fully be in relationship with us. Jesus took average people, taught them, and empowered them to share the Good News of God's love. Jesus, God Himself, offered His life as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all. This is no easy road; it wasn't a safe road. But Jesus offered Himself out of His goodness.
I know there are times in life that I will ask God "Why have you treated us like this?" When those occasions arise I will remember that God doesn't always take the predictable safe road. There are times that He will ask us to take that same risky path, but it will always be for good, because God is good . . . all the time.
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