Prepare
Read Matthew 4:12-25.
(Yes, I'm running a day late. Sorry about that.)
There's a journey hidden in a single verse. Verse 13 tells us, "Leaving Nazareth, he [Jesus] went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake..." That's a good 3-day walk, and I can't help but wonder what went through Jesus' mind and heart as he made that journey.
In 2012, I was privileged to be part of a group that walked just a short part of that trail, the part that runs along the base of Mount Arbel, the part that empties out into the area of Galilee. This likely would have been near the end of the second day of Jesus' journey, but even for the very short distance we walked, it's a humbling thing to realize we were walking in pretty much the same place and in the same dust that the Savior walked.
I know, for me, as I walked I was noticing the creation around us. The water gently trickling in a stream that ran off of some nearby hillside toward the Sea of Galilee. The dust of the area in the dry season (the only green being around the stream). The height of Arbel, towering over us, offering at its height one of the best views of the Galilee. The cows that were just on the other side of the fence. What did Jesus see on his journey?
What was he thinking? For one thing, I can't help but think he was praying a lot during those three days. He's alone; he's not yet called the disciples. He's probably not hurrying because I think he knew that once he entered Capernaum, all bets were off. And you can tell, just by reading to the end of the chapter, that ministry activity really picks up from here. When he gets to Capernaum, the city that was to be the base of his ministry, he preaches a short sermon, calls some disciples to follow him, and begins his healing ministry as people come to him. Life was about to get very stressful for the Savior. This walk would be the last time he would have quiet space to himself. So I imagine he lingered and prayed and used this time to prepare himself.
So often we rush from one thing to the next without time to prepare. We hurry from this place to that without any margin. I know that if I don't take time to prepare for each day, I can find myself physically, mentally and spiritually exhausted at mid-day. I need time each morning to reflect, pray and prepare. You do, too. God made us this way. That's why he created coffee (for some of you) and tea (for me) and slow walks. That's why he made front porches and back decks from which we can watch the world wake up. We need preparation for the stress-inducing moments that will come each and every day, the times that will push us, call us to rush, try to force us to hurry. Jesus needed that time, and so do you. Jesus found it on a walk. Where will you find it in your life?
(Yes, I'm running a day late. Sorry about that.)
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| Our group walking part of the Jesus trail, 2012 - Galilee |
In 2012, I was privileged to be part of a group that walked just a short part of that trail, the part that runs along the base of Mount Arbel, the part that empties out into the area of Galilee. This likely would have been near the end of the second day of Jesus' journey, but even for the very short distance we walked, it's a humbling thing to realize we were walking in pretty much the same place and in the same dust that the Savior walked.
I know, for me, as I walked I was noticing the creation around us. The water gently trickling in a stream that ran off of some nearby hillside toward the Sea of Galilee. The dust of the area in the dry season (the only green being around the stream). The height of Arbel, towering over us, offering at its height one of the best views of the Galilee. The cows that were just on the other side of the fence. What did Jesus see on his journey?
What was he thinking? For one thing, I can't help but think he was praying a lot during those three days. He's alone; he's not yet called the disciples. He's probably not hurrying because I think he knew that once he entered Capernaum, all bets were off. And you can tell, just by reading to the end of the chapter, that ministry activity really picks up from here. When he gets to Capernaum, the city that was to be the base of his ministry, he preaches a short sermon, calls some disciples to follow him, and begins his healing ministry as people come to him. Life was about to get very stressful for the Savior. This walk would be the last time he would have quiet space to himself. So I imagine he lingered and prayed and used this time to prepare himself.
So often we rush from one thing to the next without time to prepare. We hurry from this place to that without any margin. I know that if I don't take time to prepare for each day, I can find myself physically, mentally and spiritually exhausted at mid-day. I need time each morning to reflect, pray and prepare. You do, too. God made us this way. That's why he created coffee (for some of you) and tea (for me) and slow walks. That's why he made front porches and back decks from which we can watch the world wake up. We need preparation for the stress-inducing moments that will come each and every day, the times that will push us, call us to rush, try to force us to hurry. Jesus needed that time, and so do you. Jesus found it on a walk. Where will you find it in your life?
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