Road Trip

Our family just returned from taking Bethany to college in Bellingham, WA. With a destination in mind we began our road trip, starting at home and arriving 18 hours later in Bellingham. Two days later we retraced our steps and headed home. Trips always have a destination in mind. I find each journey takes some twists and turns as we meet people, discover a new place to eat, or see something old or something new. At a gas station in Roseburg, OR the man who filled our gas tank was originally from Guerneville. At a California rest stop I met a man who lived in Humbolt county but graduated from Analy High School. Later in the day, at another rest stop, we ran into he and his wife again and greeted each other as friends. In the Gospel accounts of Jesus, we see that Jesus was always on the move. It was more than just going from point A to point B, the interesting moments were the things that he encountered along the way. Peruse through the Gospel of Matthew and we see Jesus going to the River Jordan, out into the wilderness for 40 days; to the region of Galilee, to his home town, to Jericho, Capernaum, up on the mountainside and back down again, he stepped into a boat numerous times, crossing the Sea of Galilee and often going to Jerusalem. These road trips were on foot. While I'm sure the destination was important, it was the encounters Jesus had along the way that made a huge difference to the people he met. While crossing the desert he entered a town in Samaria and began a conversation by asking for water. The woman's life was forever changed. While coming into the small town of Nain he saw a funeral possession of a widow's only son. He was deeply moved and raised her son back to life. In another city it was a little girl whose distraught parents sought out Jesus. Entering her room he raised her back to life. Along the way he healed the sick, challenged the religious leaders, taught the people as one who had authority. Along the way a woman reached out to touch him and was healed and a Roman Centurion soldier asked him to heal his servant. Upon his arrival on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was met by a man who was filled with a legion of demons. His encounter with Jesus set him free. Jesus, knowing why he had come to earth, went to Jerusalem at the time of Passover. Jerusalem was his destination. Just as the prophet Zechariah had predicted hundred's of years earlier, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies by riding a donkey into Jerusalem. The people wanted to make him King. A week later he was nailed to the cross for our sins, so that through his death we might be forever set free from sin and have eternal life. Because Jesus went the distance, we can begin a journey with God. What happens along the way matters. Each of us are on life journeys, or road trips. We have chance encounters that change us as well as the people we meet. Sometimes we encounter tough circumstances along the way. It is especially at those times that we know that Jesus is on the trip with us, helping us, guiding us, encouraging us, upholding us. One thing is for sure: we will arrive at our Father's house in heaven according to His itinerary for us. One thing we can do is to enjoy the journey and seek to be a blessing. One way to enjoy the journey is to take time with Jesus. One way of being a blessing is to shower people with kindness. Perhaps it is letting another car into your spot or holding a door open for another family. Perhaps it is taking time to ask where someone is from and see where the conversation goes. We've been studying the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said that those who are truly his will be like light and salt in the world. Along the way, with Jesus beside us, may we impact people for the Lord Jesus. Blessings, Pastor Pete