As I sit and reflect on our lesson from the second Sunday of Lent (Luke 13:31-35), thinking and praying on the determination of Christ in his plan to redeem us from our sins, a poem from the great Robert Frost comes to mind.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear ...

Maybe you know these words from The Road Not Taken. They’re commonly read literature and poetry studies, outlining a choice common to all of us, as travelers in the world:

Do I go right at the fork in the road?

The way where the path is clear and well-trodden?

Or do I take a risk and veer to the left?

Where the way isn’t as clear?

Where people haven’t yet left tracks to follow?

Where the end is unknown?

When Christ began his ministry on the earth, after spending forty days in the desert, enduring the temptations from the Enemy, he returned to his community with the end in mind. 

He knew his goal - it would be the cross.

He knew his purpose - redemption of the world from its sins.

And nothing would distract him from getting there.

Not questioning and pestering disciples.

Not confused and conniving Pharisees.

Not violent and power-hungry Herod.

Eventually the people, his disciples, would catch up with him and understand that Christ desires for all who carry the name Christian to travel this road of self-sacrifice with him. Each of us may have our own way of navigating the path Christ has for us. But they all lead to the same place - the arms of a loving savior. Our roads may diverge at times, but Jesus is always at the end, waiting for us.

I pray that you’ll join us for worship again this Sunday, as we ponder the obstacles in our paths to the life Jesus calls us all to.

In Christ,

Pastor Jarrod