Shabbat Shalom

Today we gather in peace on the Sabbath.

It would have been a quiet day.  Perhaps eerily so on this particular observance.

All food prepared and tasks completed. Today Jesus, His disciples, close friends and their entire community would have rested.

But Jesus wasn’t here.  He was in a borrowed tomb of a friend.  He was close but not close enough.

He should be here blessing the bread.  Reclining at the table and laughing at the children who have such a hard time being still, even on the Sabbath.  Each one in His presence would have laid down the cares of the last six days and found peace deeply abiding in their souls.

But Jesus wasn’t here.  He was wrapped in a fine, clean linen cloth.  He was close but not close enough.

He should be here telling stories.  The air around us should be tangible so that we can hear His voice.

But Jesus wasn’t here.  He was lying on a shelf cut into the stone in a hillside garden silent.  He was close but not close enough.

He should be here so that we could rest.  He was beautiful when He rested.  His breath would slow on the Sabbath and those around Him breathed in peace.  The Earth would sigh at the rising and falling of His chest.  Ah, Shalom.

But Jesus wasn’t here.  He was in a tomb cut into the rock with a large stone rolled in front of it with a Roman seal.  He was close but not close enough.

So shalom, peace, would not come easily on this Shabbat.  This Sabbath was wrought with gut-wrenching grief that had to be tamed in order to just breathe.  But breathe they must because Sunday is coming.  When the morning rays touch the hills they would be there.  Ready.  Ready to honor their Beloved by preparing His body properly, tenderly and with tears.

And Jesus would be there…

Thank you for seeking shalom with me today, a place of rest.  May the competing demands on you this day be laid waste to the promise of peace.

Sunday’s coming.

Grace & Shalom,

Laura Lea

The Gospels record little on this day but much had to be done.  Passover was the next day and there were many preparations to be made.  Recording routine events like what needs to be done for Passover was not the focus for Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.  This day, for them, was an ordinary day during Passover week.  They had grown up in the tradition and celebration of Passover.  Today they visited family and went into the market to gather herbs, spices and such.  Just an ordinary day.

There was this one, though, that had an important meeting today.  He would slip away and sell his best friend for silver.  Sigh.  Part of the preparations, I suppose.

Today we find Jesus in Bethany.  His day was an extraordinary day.  He was making preparations as well.  Preparations that were going to change the world.

In my mind, it is no coincidence that Jesus stayed in Bethany.  It was close to Jerusalem, about a two mile walk, but just far enough away to find refuge in the dwelling of His friend.  Today, of all days, Jesus needed to be here, in this place.

Jesus was overseeing and consulting with His disciples about the details of tomorrow.  Everything had to be perfect and it would be.  As I read scripture, I don’t often picture Jesus as sitting or idle.  Yet, on this day, I picture Him seated under an olive tree or in ear shot of Martha and Mary in the kitchen making their own preparations.

These moments had to be precious to Him.  He wasn’t being scrutinized by the Sanhedrin or pestered by the Pharisees.  His mind could dwell on the hundreds of miles He had walked in His earthly lifetime.  From Bethlehem to Egypt, from Egypt to Nazareth, from the banks of the Jordan to Samaria, every place His foot had trod, God, His Father, had led Him.

I wonder if He could feel the power of the Holy Spirit as He remembered all of His days?  Every man, woman and child that He had healed.  Every heart that had been quickened to life by His words.  Every embrace that was the giving and receiving of Life.  Every miracle that had been preformed to glorify His Father in Heaven.  Today.  Today would have been the day to think on these things.

His mind could have wandered… to the salt air on His face at the Sea of Galilee, the smell of Joseph’s carpentry shop, the hot sands on His feet in Egypt, the taste of the wine in Cana, the warmth of the stones on His back at the well in Samaria, the smell of the wildflowers as He taught upon so many hills.  Then, there was the fragrant aroma of the nard.  That beautiful, costly perfume that had bathed His feet as Mary laid her life before Him.  Sweet abandon.  He would not forget that moment.

That moment emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically screamed what was coming.  Bless His disciples’ hearts, the signs were all there but they had no idea.  John, maybe, but just a glimmer really.  His heart was making preparations for His time was drawing near.  So few hours left.  So much to do.

So, I see Him.  Can’t you?  Sitting in the shade of a tree waiting for that next breeze.  Resting in what may have been the closest place He had to an earthly home in the last three years.  Then He sees him, Lazarus, his friend.  He is walking over.  There is comfort there and familiar ease.  The bond they shared was extraordinary.  Lazarus owed his life to Jesus.  Don’t we all?  Yes.  However, Lazarus had experienced something that Jesus had yet to experience as a man – resurrection.  The breeze must have caressed Him as they sat together in the cool of the day.

Thank you for walking with me.  This walk toward home was good for my soul.

Until tomorrow,

Laura Lea

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The message must be spoken.  It needs to be clear.  There isn’t much time left.

Jesus and His disciples, once again, set their feet toward Jerusalem.

One foot in front of another, they walk and discuss yesterday’s events.  There had to have been a lingering comment or two about Jesus’ righteous rage in the temple complex.  Maybe even a thought-provoking comment on Jesus’ compassion and passion for Jerusalem as His tears fell.

Then they come to that place in the road.  That fig tree is till there.  Or should I say, that withered never-going-to-produce-fruit again tree.  Faith.  Their minds and thoughts are rooted in Faith.

They walk on.

Every step Jesus takes today is pregnant with purpose.  Every encounter He has on this day is meant to divide – truth from falsehood, eternal from temporary and redemption from religion.

There is a mood in Jerusalem today.  There is chatter of celebration preparations.  There are people everywhere acknowledging Jesus.  “Hey, Rabbi, where are you teaching today?  The left side steps of the Temple?  Great!  I will be there!”  There is a mummer of adoration for Jesus… for He is captivating.

Then, there are the Sadducees and the Pharisees,

“Every day He was teaching in the temple complex.  The chief priests, the scribes and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to destroy him, but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.”  Luke 19:47

None of this is lost on Jesus.  Every step He takes today has purpose.

It began with separating truth from falsehood.

Luke 20 v. 9-26 is a parable about a vineyard owner who allowed tenant farmers to farm his vineyards.  The owner was away a long time but sent a servant to the farmers to gather some of the fruit.  The farmers mistreated not one, not two but three servants who attempted to collect what was due to the owner.  So finally, the owner sent his BELOVED son.  This time the tenant farmers murdered him so that they would receive his inheritance.  What a sad story about bad people feeling entitled to the portion that is not theirs.  Oh, wait, the scribes and chief priests, they got it.  It was all about them and they were angry.  Truth will always speak against falsehood.  Jesus would make sure of it.

Next was dividing the eternal from temporary.

The air around Jesus was getting thick with drama and intrigue.  Those who sought to destroy Jesus sent spies into the crowd looking for evidence to turn Him into the governor.

“Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You don’t show partiality, but teach truthfully the way of God.  Is it lawful, for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  Luke 20:21

I want to make note here that our calendar always places Easter in the middle of tax season.  Just pointing that out.

Jesus was not swayed by flattery.  His response, “Show me a denarius.  Whose image and inscription does it have?” “Ceaesar’s”, they replied. “Well, then,” He told them,”give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”  Luke 20:23-25 

Silence.  And so Jesus walks on.  Question after question He speaks Truth and Light and Eternal into them.  Those who seek to destroy Him are silenced at every answer that comes from His mouth.  “Teacher, You have spoken well.  And they no longer dared to ask Him anything.” Luke 20:39

Jesus must have been exhausted.  He had been giving of himself all day.  Seeking to pour the eternal into earthen vessels.  Every parable was critical to their survival.  Every word He spoke was a shield of protection against deception.  Every teachable moment needed to be turned toward the eternal so that they, or do I dare say we, would finally get it.

His feet could not turn towards Bethany yet.  No rest.  Not yet.  Redemption was coming and His followers needed to be ready.

This was it, redemption needed to be separated from religion.

The six or so parables that are recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all speak to seeing redemption through God and not religious duty, tradition or obligation.  Jesus was the authority and it had nothing to do with religion and everything to do with redemption.  Jesus was serious and the disciples were watching it unfold right before their eyes.

I imagine this was the tipping point for Judas.  He had watched for days as the religious leaders had tried to ensnare Him and each time Jesus had walked away.  That was good, right?  I think so, but I know Jesus on this side of the cross.  Judas, as a zealot, wanted change.  Jesus changed things – changed attitudes, hearts, bodies and minds.  Yet, Judas wanted political change and if he could just force Jesus’ hand by turning Him over to those who were trying to destroy Him wouldn’t He rise up and save Himself and everyone else along with Him?  It seemed logical.  He was desperate.  He was tired.  Surely, this would work out the way he wanted.  So, he did what any good zealot would do, he went and met with the Sanhedrin to start the revolution.  What did a few pieces of silver matter?  He could use it for the coming uprising when Jesus took down Rome.  Sigh.

We have walked a long way today. We have walked through the streets of Jerusalem.  We have sat on the steps of the temple.  We have danced around the dangerous.

Jesus, late in the evening, turned His feet toward Bethany.

Grace and peace, my fellow walkers.  Let’s walk together tomorrow.

Laura Lea

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Today the air is filled with nostalgia.  Memories and mysteries seem to swirl around the Master’s head.

“Early in the morning, as He was returning to the city, He was hungry.  Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves.  And He said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” At once the fig tree withered.”  Matthew 21:18-19

Here they are, it is early mind you, they are rubbing their eyes and putting one foot in front of another on the road from Bethany to Jerusalem.  Scripture says Jesus was hungry.  There is that humanity again.  But, wait, weren’t they staying at Lazarus’ house?  Where is Martha?  It wasn’t like her for someone to leave her house hungry.

Yet, here we are Jesus is hungry and he spots a fig tree.  In other Gospel recordings of this moment it indicates that it was not the season for a fig tree to bear fruit.  Jesus knew this yet he went expecting fruit.  Now, this had to be a moment to ponder for these sleepy-headed disciples.  They were accustomed to Jesus getting what He wanted when He wanted it especially where nature was concerned.  He calmed seas and multiplied loaves of bread and fish on more than one occasion.  Would they be surprised if there were figs growing on a tree out of season if Jesus was there?  Probably not.  Just one more mystery about their Master.  But not today.  Not this day.  This was a teachable moment and Jesus wanted them to wake up and pay attention.

“When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Matthew 21:20

Really?  Heads muddled from sleep and the Master curses a fig tree for not bearing fruit and the question is, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Sigh.  So, the Master, Rabbi, Teacher, Messiah of the World (even though He has not made that widely known yet) answers THEM.  I sit in amazement, truly.  How often have I asked such an obvious question of Him?  And like the Savior I know Him to be He answers me just as He answered them.

“I assure you: If you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.” Matthew 21:21

Teachable moment encapsulated in a bombshell.  What? Wait.  You mean if I have faith and not doubt I can kill a tree?  Or throw a mountain in the Sea of Galilee?  What? This is it – dazzling moment with the Master. Pouring life into them even as He takes it from a tree.

Then, there is this.

“And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer.” Matthew 21:22 

Mind blown before breakfast.

I bet the rest of the walk to Jerusalem was silent.  They had spiritual food to chew on and the day was just getting started.

This is why I asked you to walk with me.  The spiritual nourishment that we find here on this day is life-altering.  The words Jesus speaks in these verses transforms life.  Your life.  My life.  As a disciple of Christ I want this truth to transform me into a fruit-bearing being.  What does it take?  Faith.  I want to immerse myself in it and wear it like a robe.  Let us walk together in FAITH urging each other to believe in the words Jesus said to His twelve closest friends.  Then, what? We journey on.

There is so much more to this day!  The memories and mysteries of this day range from weeping over Jerusalem to a holy righteous rage at the Temple.  I want to walk here with you.  I want to flesh it all out and sit and weep and glean every bit of knowledge there is!

But, I asked you to walk with me not trek across the Promised Land.  So we shall stop here and begin our walk anew tomorrow.  If you would like to journey on and dialogue via email, Facebook, Instagram or our website please do.

I welcome all the ways we walk together.

If your heart yearns for more then here are the verses for the rest of the story – Walk with Jesus into the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17 and Luke 19:45-46), sit with Him over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) and listen at His feet as He teaches Truth to those who have ears to hear (Matthew 21:23-7 and Luke 20:1-8).

Grace and peace.  I look forward to where the road leads us tomorrow.

Laura Lea

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