The Road Ahead

"They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid."

(Mark 10:32)

Disney's live-action remake of "Beauty and the Beast" opens tomorrow. It's getting a ton of buzz. The original animated film was majestic! From the music to the animation to the storyline, fans for decades have been singing and quoting numerous parts of the movie. One of the phrases I like to say is, "KILL THE BEAST!" when referring to the 'mob mentality' that often infects humanity. We get caught up in something and it begins to take on a life of its own - for good or for ill.

Such is the case (to a lesser extent) in today's reading from Mark 10. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem (meaning that he knows it will eventually lead to his death) and folks are walking with him. That would be the disciples and others. Mark tells us "they were amazed and those who followed were afraid." This is how the group felt as a whole. So interesting...

At this point, Jesus has tried a couple of times to let his disciples know what was about to take place. Most didn't get it, understand it, or believe it. Saviors don't die... they save! But Jesus is resolute. He knows where this pathway that God has given him is taking him. So there must have been that uncertainty and foreboding for some. But Jesus isn't freaking out, worrying or panicking at all. That must have been part of what was so amazing about being around him.

Some think that a "good Christian" is one who has it all together, and can completely trust in Jesus (for every aspect of one's life!). I think more of what's reality is that we Christians have a mix of amazement & fear when it comes to our faith (and our relationship with Jesus). We know we want to be on this road with Jesus, but don't exactly know where that will take us. Jesus has said that it will involve giving ourselves away for others, overcoming hatred with love, and reaching out to EVERYBODY, especially those who are last, lost, and least.

So no, we don't have to have it all together to follow Jesus. He welcomes us in all of our amazement and fear. Thank God for that.