Right on Track

Text: Luke 18:31-34

Have you ever explained things to someone clearly and thoroughly--and to no avail? Most of us have had the experience, and from the other side of the conversation as well. The possible reasons for the failed communication are many: inattentiveness, poor choice of words by the speaker, distractions in the midst of the delivery, and several others come to mind.

From Jesus' own perspective as related by Luke, everything was progressing as it should. The journey toward Jerusalem, in spite of being filled with many encounters with the friendly, the hostile, and the curious, was on schedule. He would arrive at just the right time for the Passover observance. This much his disciples understood with no difficulty; they had been there before. The enormous investment of new meaning into that ancient observance, however, was light-years from their minds.

So when Jesus very clearly laid out what was going to happen this time, it went right by them. I suspect it would have gone right by virtually anyone. They knew what happened at Passover, for they had participated many times. Passover had nothing to do with one of the participants fulfilling prophecy by being handed over, mocked, insulted, spat upon, flogged, and killed. And if a death did occur, resurrections surely do not--no matter who it is. Luke uses three consecutive phrases to underscore how incomprehensible the entire message must have been. They didn't understand any of this; its meaning was hidden (by the Holy Spirit? by their perceptions and presuppositions?); they didn't know what he was talking about. Perhaps it is little wonder that a few days hence they would flee as these things unfolded.

I suspect that there are yet clear instructions and announcements about the intents and desires of Jesus that his followers do not receive for one reason or another. All we need to do is look at the people in our congregations, or better, at ourselves. What is it that we have trouble with in his clear directions? Maybe we need to ask this of one another so that the things which do not add up to us may be clarified by those who know us and see us and in whom the Spirit dwells. God's program is still on the right track, going where He wills it to go; can we hear well enough to stay with Him?