No short cuts

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THIS is my last column as Moderator and I want to thank the Editor for allowing me to write and to thank you for taking time to read. The theme of my year has been the words of Jesus, “Follow me,” and I have tried to explore what that might mean for followers of Jesus today.

Those who followed Jesus, both in Galilee and Judea, became aware, about six months before he died, that his travels became more focused and purposeful. He made fewer appearances before the crowds and focussed his teaching more on his followers, though he never passed human need without responding.

The problem was that the disciples thought they knew where he was going. While they had correctly identified the destination, Jerusalem, they were completely wrong on his purpose. They still thought that the Messiah, as they now knew Jesus to be, had come to liberate them from the Romans. However the freedom Jesus would bring would be far greater than political liberation and the cost of securing it would be far higher.

Anyone new to the gospels would notice how much space the writers give to the last week of Jesus’ life. Between a quarter and a half of each gospel describes the events we call “Holy Week.” It is as if, having rushed through his early years, and gone steadily through his public ministry, the action slows down until we come to a halt at the foot of the cross. While it seems literally “a dead end,” in fact it is a “dramatic pause,” before the great truth of the resurrection on Easter Day.

Following Jesus through Holy Week was, for the disciples like a roller-coaster ride, with no certainty anyone is at the controls. The first few days were dramatic. There was the high of Palm Sunday when it looked like the whole city was going after Jesus. Then there occurred the confrontation of Jesus with the money changers in the Temple. On Tuesday he sparred with his opponents in a series of verbal cut and thrusts. The whole city was transfixed by this showdown. There was a pause for two notable meals. At the first Mary anointed Jesus while he was in the relative safely of Bethany over the hill. Then he stayed for the first time in the city to celebrate the Passover with his disciples in a secret location.

That evening was filled with tension. The disciples were wrong footed, by Jesus washing their feet and informing them that one of them was a traitor. Peter was put in his place when he promised loyalty and was told that night he would fail miserably. In the end it was Jesus who comforted his followers and prayed for them before leaving for his destiny.

That longest of all days which began in a Garden in Gethsemane concluded in a cross at Calvary. Did Jesus’ words return to any of the disciples that day namely: “If anyone would come after me let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me?” The women remained and oversaw the seemly entombment of Jesus’ body. No doubt they, like many others, cried till they had no tears left to shed.

But then there came Easter Day, resurrection, and Jesus’ appearances to individuals, couples’ groups and once to over 500. Following Jesus means no short cuts or any shelter from the storm. However, the Guide has gone ahead, he knows the way and he returns to take us with him on the road and bring us safely home at the end. He is still worth following.

The Rt Rev Colin Sinclair is minister at Edinburgh: Palmerston Place and Moderator of the General Assembly in 2019/20.

This article appears in the April 2020 Issue of Life and Work

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