Turning Points

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’

They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’

‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’

Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’

Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’

Mark 8.27 – 33

At the moment we have a labyrinth on the lawn at FCH. It was my idea so I thought I had better walk it. It was an interesting experience. To start with I was quite tense, my shoulders were hunched, and I was focussed just on getting to the centre. When I got there – which took a while – I put down the shell I was carrying and paused, an closed my eyes. I became a little more aware that I was not making this journey on my own.

As I walked out I began to slow down. I noticed the grass, my feet on the ground, my breathing in rhythm with my steps. I relaxed and began to savour the time. I realised that I only had a short time left in the labyrinth and I wanted to enjoy it.

Afterwards I realised that there was a parallel between my experience in the labyrinth and my time last year when I wasn’t well. My illness came 4 ½ years after I had come to the uni, and ahead I had 4 ½ years until I retired. At the time I felt that this was a real turning point – and invitation to live and work differently in the rest of my time here – to slow down, relax, and be more open to what God would bring. Walking the labyrinth was a little reminder.

I wonder if you can think back to turning points in your life… Some may not have been your choice – but some may have felt like you were being led, drawn, in a new direction… There might be a turning point that you want to connect with again – or one that you feel may be lying just ahead…

As we go through this season of Lent, we are invited to walk with Jesus on his journey, and notice the turning points. We begin thinking about his time in the wilderness, the time when he turned from the quiet life of his village to begin his work of travelling through different places, sharing God’s love in words and actions.

Our reading is another turning point. We are about half way through Lent, and this reading comes about half way through Mark’s gospel. In our reading two things happen for the first time. Firstly Jesus asks the disciples who he is, and Peter says that he is the Messiah – the one sent from God – the promised saviour.

Jesus accepts this, but then straight away he explains what this means. He will be rejected, and he will be killed. But Peter can’t accept this.

From this time onwards the movement in the gospel is towards Jerusalem, towards the showdown with the religious leaders, towards the cross.

Our invitation is to follow this story and join Jesus on this path. To understand again his determination to live out his message of love to the bitter end. To enter more deeply what it cost him, and what it means for us.

So in just over two weeks’ time we will come to the heart-rending events of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday onwards. We might read Mark’s account of the story – a little each day – or follow it in church services. And just as I remembered on the labyrinth that I am not walking this journey on my own, so we are invited to walk side by side and heart to heart with Jesus. And then we can be ready for the final turning point. As I came out of the labyrinth on Tuesday I felt a sense of freedom and openness. When we walk with Jesus into the new day of Easter, we share with him the freedom and joy of his new life.

Reflect for a moment on your journey through life so far, and the turning points on your journey. Where have you felt the guiding hand of God?

God of all life, thank you that you promise to walk with us on our life’s journey. Thank you for the times when you have led us in new directions, or we have felt you with us when our path has changed. As we look back, help us to trust you for the future…

Lord Jesus, we remember how you set your face towards Jerusalem, towards opposition, and suffering, and death. As we walk with you this Lent, help us to understand more of what this meant for you, and what it means for us…

Living Lord, you have broken through into new life, and you share that life with us. May we enter into your new life more and more fully, and know your life in us as we journey on…