It was just this week that the 7th graders were reading about Moshe at the foot of Mt. Sinai.
According to the Book of Exodus – “all the people” responded – we will do – whatever the Lord asks. We will do it!
Then of course, as we are want to do… We go about “business as usual” —with (each) doing our own thing.
Whatever the Lord asks – we will do.
Sure.
It sounds good as a chorus. It sounds reassuring when everyone is seemingly is on the same exact page.
It sounds good when there are no dissenters.
We are all in agreement here, right?
Whatever the Lord says, WE WILL DO!
We will. Kind of. Maybe. Sorta-kinda.
Well, maybe if we get around to it…or if the spirit moves us.
Of course, we will. Someday!
Perhaps…we will see…
Today in our Gospel text – Jesus says, “How often I had desired…and you were not willing.”
How us!
We like to give lip service.
If you think about it – (and I have) – this seems to be the “whole story-the “whole history” of God’s relationship with us…in a nutshell. We are a fickle lot!
We say one thing and do another. I guess you could say we are hypocritical.
From the earliest days in the Garden of Eden, to the days and times leading up to the “Great Flood” … to the forty years sojourn in the wilderness from Egypt.
From the days when the prophets of old spoke and “called people out” … to the days of Jesus, right down – to our very own time…
We continually say “one thing” and do another…
If you were to ask me (which you did not) I would tell you that the story of the scriptures is: the story of how often God desires one thing for us, and how unwilling we are to accept it.
And this seems to replay itself out over and over again in each and every generation!
This is what the scriptures call the “very heart of sin.” Recoiling from the desires of God… Going in the opposite direction… Doing our own thing… Missing the Mark…Turning away from him – intentionally or un-intentionally…
So often when we hear the word “sin” we think of something gross and disconcerting. We think of illegal activity. Sinister stuff! We think about the dark corners of lawless sedition.
We like that. It exonerates us!
It is so much easier to think of sin in that way. Because we would never speak about ourselves in those kind of terms.
“Sin” is what “others do” in the darkness, in the night, that separate themselves from us. We of course, are exempt. We are better than “all that!”
Well, guess what, SURPRISE!
“Sin” is so much broader than that.
While it is true that “sin” happens in dark alley-ways and backrooms, but it also happens – in broad day light.
It happens it our homes, our schools, and in our work places.
“Sin” happens every time we walk away and turn our backs on what God desires.
“Sin” happens whenever we turn our backs on God (PERIOD.)
One of the things that this new season of Lent is all about – is to seek out “WHAT IT IS” that God desires. What does he want for us? What does he expect from us? How does he want us to live? How does he want us to respond? Where is he sending us? Which direction are “we” headed in?
And then there is this other part…this other side.
There is an expectation that we will accept his forgiveness – that he so freely offers – when we step off his path…
When we turn away…
When we turn our backs on him…and run away…
For the faithful – the “walk of Lent” the “Lenten Walk” if you will, is about discerning the will of God for me and for my life.
It is all about returning to the Lord. It is about returning to a life of prayer. It is about returning to his table. It is about returning to Him…calling on Him.
As with all things in this life…it starts with that first step, a baby step, if you will.
It starts with turning toward him and toward his people and away from all that is sinful.
It is all about “one step at a time!”