JOURNEY

Dr. Richard J. Henderson September 17, 2006

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Psalm 19 (responsively)
Mark 8: 27-38

Introduction

You get out the suitcases. The dog looks worried because she has learned what this means. You start laying out clothes you'll need. What kind of shoes will I need? How many socks? Will I need a sweater? Should I take any dressier clothes? You spread all these clothes out on the bed and then wonder how it's all going to fit in a suitcase. Then you start to pack.

When you've put it all in the large suitcase you try to zip it closed - and realize there's no way it will all fit. Then you unpack and repack until it fits. When you're taking a trip you don't know what you might need.

I don't know about you, but I always worry about that fifty pound limit at the check-in at the airport. I always sigh in relief when the scale reads 49 ½ pounds!

I

Mark's account of the gospel is set as a journey. More than Matthew, Luke, or John, Mark tells of Jesus always on the move. The phrase that he uses over and over again is, "Then immediately Jesus went ..." or "And then immediately he went up to..." or "Then immediately Jesus went over to..." Jesus is on a journey and he's moving quickly.

There is a reason behind that. The Greek word which is translated "path" or "way" is an important word for Mark; he uses it at least fourteen times in his short gospel. Faith is a journey with Jesus; we are on the way with our Lord. This is one of the important concepts Mark is trying to get across and he not only tells us about it, he shows us through Jesus' actions. Jesus and his disciples are making a journey. The point is, of course, that each of us is making that faith journey too. It is important that we know as we travel through life that ours is a faith journey with our Lord.

Sometimes on the way with Jesus, we will be close together - hearing clearly what he says. Sometimes we'll be at the back of the group trying to catch up with the others. Sometimes we'll almost feel lost - barely able to hear his voice. Sometimes we'll look up to see his hand reaching down to lift us up. We're on a journey. Jesus is leading the way.

II

As with every journey, there are surprises along the way. You pack short-sleeved shirts and your destination experiences record low temperatures. Or, along the trip you have a flat tire. Or, if you live in Michigan, you face a detour because of construction, and then a detour from the detour because they're doing construction on the detour! Every journey has surprises.

Some of those surprises are wonderful. You get to meet terrific people. Often on our journey the best surprises are the terrific people we meet.

Several years ago we had the opportunity to go to Scotland. One night we settled into a bed and breakfast right along the Firth of Forth. After dinner we went for a walk down to the water's edge. There we saw a couple who was walking their chocolate lab. Since we were missing our chocolate lab, the kids went immediately to the dog. The owner said, "It sounds like somebody's far from home." We struck up a conversation with them. A little while later they asked if we would like to stop by their house. We did. It was a huge, ancient stone estate that they were remodeling. We sat down in their living room and soon they brought out glasses of wine and we talked for a long time; in fact so long that it was after dark when we left, and our bed and breakfast was locked! But that's another whole story!

It was such a wonderful surprise to meet such interesting and friendly people, including a very kind, understanding, bed and breakfast owner!

On the international mission trips that we have taken we have gotten to know the most faithful and kind people. They have been such an important part of those great experiences. When we land in a foreign country we have never met the people. All we know is that they are Christians. They have always been extremely generous people and always taken good care of us. Many members still write to people they have met on one of the mission trips.

Along our faith journeys we meet the most amazing and helpful people. I am continually thankful for all of the kind, faithful, thoughtful people I have met on this journey of faith - so many people who made such a difference for me, often without even knowing what effect they have had.

We weren't meant to travel this road alone. God sends us each other for help, support, and encouragement.

We never know where God will take us next. Sometimes when the way ahead seems most dark, confusing - when it seems that there is no way ahead - that's when God makes a way out of no way. Part of the excitement of this trip is not knowing what or who will appear next.

III

We don't know where the journey will take us. The day we are born, we don't have a clue about where this exciting journey will go. Where will my life take me? What will it be like? Where will I live? With whom? It is all unknown.

Jesus' disciples didn't know where their journey with Jesus was going either. For most of them there were scary parts - suffering, loss, arrests. For many of the original disciples the trip meant they gave their lives for what they believed.

But many of the surprises they experienced were the most important things in their lives - their closeness with the Son of God, the chance to hear him first hand - to learn and grow and give themselves to something far greater than each or all of them. They had the chance to understand the heart of what life means.

We don't always know where this journey of faith will take us either. But we know that we can trust. We know we are following the truth. We know that wherever it takes us, it's worth it the trip.

Conclusion

When we gather here for baptisms we say some important words about our faith. When the person or the parents have taken their vows, and when we have baptized the person we say this: "By this act of baptism, we welcome you to a journey that will take your whole life. This isn't the end; it is the beginning. What God will make of you, we don't know. Where God will take you, how God may surprise you, we can't say. But we do know this, and this is what we say today: God will always be with you."

That is the promise of this journey we all hold on to.

Amen.

©Richard J. Henderson 2006