Mark 14:27-28
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told his disciples, “for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

They had just shared the Passover meal that Thursday evening and something was amiss. In the midst of the ancient and beautiful liturgy, known by all and much loved, Jesus had changed the words: The broken bread was his body, the wine was the new covenant in his blood. What? The astounded disciples couldn’t grasp it. Something was about to happen–indeed, Jesus had identified his betrayer–but they didn’t see the whole picture. Now, quoting Zechariah, Jesus told them they would all fall away. “Not me!” insisted Peter, and all agreed.

Then Jesus gave this tantalizing promise that we might miss: “After I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Did they get it yet? To be risen you have to be down. Down in the grave, down in death? No, the disciples didn’t really know that was coming. They didn’t know what was about to occur. But whatever it was, Jesus would be back and would meet them in Galilee.

What wonderful days they had spent in Galilee! It wasn’t crowded like the city; it was open countryside and little villages. Galilee was flowers in springtime and late-night talks by a campfire and a big blue lake full of fish. Galilee was where they got to know their Teacher and his amazing parables, saw his miracles, practiced forgiveness, learned to preach and pray and love, laughed together in delight with Jesus at the joys of life. Galilee was where they lived close to God.

“After I have risen we’ll be together again in Galilee.” Did the disciples hang onto this promise when they denied him, when Jesus hung broken and bleeding on the cross, bearing the full wrath of God for every sin ever committed, for every evil defiling God’s good creation, when all the world shook in unnatural darkness, when the weight of grief and despair settled on them? Even when life crashed down around the disciples, did they harbor a mustard seed of hope deep within of blue-skied Galilee with Jesus?

We have that hope too, no matter how bad things get, no matter how dull or ordinary our days are, no matter what we’ve done or how far we’ve fallen or how badly we’ve failed, no matter how quickly time is running out. We have a better hope, because it isn’t Galilee in our future but new life today and heaven forever. We who believe have the hope of eternal life that begins right now. As we repent and place our trust in Jesus, we are washed clean of our sins. As we accept the death of the sinless Son of God as God’s just punishment for our own sins, Jesus says, “My blood is poured out for your forgiveness. And I’m coming back to get you, so we can enjoy heaven together forever.” He himself is the way there. His promises never fail.

Thank you, Jesus, for going before us. Thank you for your death for me. Thank you that in the cross you have provided forgiveness for all my sins. Thank you that you yourself are the way, into the kingdom. Thank you for the promise of eternity with you.

(Zechariah 13:7, Mark 14:17-31, John 17:3, 5:24, 3:16-18, 1John 1:9, Matthew 26:28, John 14:1-6, 1Kings 8:56, 2Corinthians 1:20)

“All I know is I’m not home yet. This is not where I belong.”
(Where I Belong, Building 429)