Live Lent – Week 5 – Leaving

Jesus invites us to follow him and let go of those things that stop us in our tracks: to let go of status so that we can, like him, kneel and wash feet; to release our fear so that we can, in obedience to him, love one another.

Read: John 12:12–26

Jesus says goodbye to Bethany and walks the short distance to the Mount of Olives and from there down the hill into the city of Jerusalem.

He leaves the intimacy of the home of his friends and finds a noisy, joyful crowd waiting to welcome him. Loud, colourful and vibrant. Their song is one of praise, and it is also one of expectation and hope. It anticipates change.

Blessed is the one who comes to lead us into a new future, for here is one who has brought someone back to life.

He comes in humility, riding a donkey, not a stallion.

Some people make a request to his disciples: ‘We wish to see Jesus’. Jesus’ unexpected reply is to invite them to see God’s glory, made visible in his suffering and death. 

He likens it to a seed falling, dying, letting  go of life – it’s a kind of leaving. Yet from that comes life. Not one solitary life reborn but abundant life, a plant giving birth to a whole harvest of fruit, with countless more seeds.

God’s glory is seen in the life of Jesus. It is also seen in the death of Jesus and the abundance of life that comes from that. Jesus invites us to see that God’s glory is similarly made visible in our own letting go.

Pause

What might it mean for you to welcome Christ to share this day with you? What new future will he bring, and how does he bring it?

Look for the signs of life around you, and reflect on the seeds which have produced it. Let God speak to you about your own life.

Pray

Triumphant King,
May we be found among the crowds cheering your return.
Open our ears and our hearts to hear your call,
Give us strength and imagination that we might respond.
Kindle in each one of us your light,
That we may let that light shine
For the world’s blessing and your glory.
Amen.

Challenge

Create space for someone in your home, your diary, or your heart this week.