Showing Up

Isaiah 50:4-9a | Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 | Philippians 2:5-11 | Matthew 21:1-11 

By Rev. Heather J. Blais, Rector
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Today’s gospel begins with Jesus sending two of his disciples ahead into the village, where they would find a tied up donkey and colt (21:1-11). The two disciples were to untie the animals and bring them to Jesus. If anyone challenged this, they were to say, “‘The Lord needs them’” (21:3). 

Can you imagine?“‘The Lord needs them’” (21:3). 

This might have given anyone pause, but these two disciples do as asked. While Matthew tells us, his listeners, the animals are borrowed to fulfill the words of the prophets Isaiah and Zechariah, it's unclear if the two disciples were aware of this.* Nor does Matthew share whether anyone objected to the animals being taken. 

Jesus' instructions to these two disciples has always given me pause. This past week as I meditated with our gospel, and explored other translations, I noticed a difference that sparked my curiosity. Our lesson begins, “Jesus sent two disciples” (21:1). While another translation - the Common English Bible - reads, “Jesus gave two disciples a task.” While there is something abstract and ambiguous about being sent, there is something concrete and clear about being given a task. This shift can paint a different picture of what Jesus might be up to, and how we make sense of it in our own lives. 

There is something cryptic, almost alarming, about being sent on what might be read as a clandestine mission.  Jesus gives the two disciples these strange instructions to go ahead, take someone else’s property.  Then if anyone takes issue with it, say,  ‘Oh, it’s okay - the Lord needs them.’ This action - which to bystanders may read more like sly theft than divine procurement - has always been a bit unsettling. It’s hard to imagine it wasn’t  unsettling for those two disciples. 

Imagine if we tried something like this today.  A couple of folks from church walk over to the library. They hop into someone’s electric car that had been left charging. When someone stops and asks them what they are doing, they say to the concerned citizen: It’s all good - Jesus needs it. We have to bring some donations to the Survival Center, or drive someone to Springfield, or any number of reasons. Ugh ... .sure…okay. ‘Hello, 911? Two religious zealots are stealing a car for ‘Jesus’ at the library. You might want to get on that.’

Except in this other translation Jesus does not send two disciples. Instead, Jesus gave them a task. This seems altogether different. When they are being sent, there’s a sense the two disciples are out there, operating heavily outside their comfort zone, unsure of it all. Whereas when they are given a task - there’s a sense that Jesus has a shepherd-like care for these two disciples. He understands their capacity and their limitations, knows how to stretch them, and how to care for them - all while they go about the work of God’s dream together. Knowing them intimately, Jesus meets them where they are. Something we see again and again throughout the scriptures. 

When we show up to our relationship with God with an open heart and open hands - God will always meet us where we are. And when we can show up with God, as we are, we bring with us our complex array of thoughts and emotions, most especially, our fear. But what matters is the showing up itself, and remaining open. 

These two disciples have been faithfully showing up as they follow Jesus.  Who knows what they were thinking, feeling or holding, that day or that season, in their faith journey. They might have been inclined to show up physically, while being emotionally and spiritually aloof out of fear. Instead they showed up, open hearted and handed. In turn, Jesus meets these two disciples exactly where they are, and gives them concrete and clear instructions. He even tells them what to say if their actions are challenged, directing their questioners to God. 

What is stirred up for us when we trust the Holy One to meet us where we are, and as we are? For me it is a huge sense of relief. All around us, and all around these disciples, uncertainty and tensions are rising. Yet knowing and trusting that the Holy One can meet us where we are, and as we are, is a balm to our souls if we’ll receive it. 

When we take in the big picture, much of a life of faith is abstract and ambiguous. Yet there are times when we can’t cope with the abstract and the ambiguous. We desperately need clear, concrete, simple next steps. Which is why, sometimes disciples are given clear instructions to pick up someone else’s donkey and colt. It’s why sometimes we are asked to pick up the hospitality supplies, or call the contractor, or clean up a mess, or fill in for someone else. It’s why we can’t solve world hunger, but we can bring a casserole to a neighbor undergoing chemotherapy or buy lunch for a neighbor asking for spare change. Thanks be to God - the Holy One knows us better than we know ourselves. They  understand that some days, the best way we can help, is by calling us to do something pragmatic. Something we can actually understand and do.

What a gift that our God meets us where we are. Loving us on our best and worst days. In our most fragile and insecure moments, and in our most bold and courageous moments. God loves us for who we are, and cares far more about our showing up, with open hearts and hands, than whether we always fully understand the bigger picture. 

We may not always understand what is at play - as I doubt these two disciples fully understood. Yet when called, like them, we can answer. We can do our small piece to support movement towards God’s dream. Whether the disciples realized it or not, their small role was vital to fulfilling the prophet's word that the next king would come riding in on a donkey (21:4-5). Like the piccolo playing a small but vital part in an orchestra, or a classmate teaching their peers how to use a necessary piece of equipment, or a team member making sure the water jugs make it onto the bus. Movement happens when many, many small pieces come together through something greater than ourselves. That is the Jesus Movement, and we each have a small piece to play, day by day, week by week, year by year. Whether we realize it or not, we play an instrumental role in helping the larger picture, the larger movement come into being. 

These two disciples, the owners of the donkey and colt, each member of the crowd spreading their clothes and branches, each city dweller inquiring after Jesus - they were all necessary. They all had a role to play in creating this triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which begins Jesus' final week. A procession that was in stark contrast to the imperial procession happening on the other side of the city, as Roman authorities entered the city to quell any uprising during Passover.   The week will end with a man who preached a message of love, dying on a cross. Yet we know that death is not the last word. God’s defying Love will have the last word - yesterday, today, and forever. 

As we move through Holy Week, we will see many others play their small role. 
Some will faithfully show up, open hearted and handed. Some will yearn to show up with such sincerity, but in the moment when it matters the most, will deny Jesus, and his Way of Love. In truth - each of them, and each of us - does both. Sometimes we show up, and sometimes we turn our backs. It is all part of our faith journey, one with ups and downs and turns, one that begins again, and again, and again. 

As we head into this Holy Week, I would invite us each to journey this week with great intention, with prayer, and a spirit of curiosity. Wondering with God:

• What task does Jesus call us to this day? 
• What small role do we play in the Way of Love?
• What does it look like to show up, open hearted and handed? 

Let us pray. 
Creator of all, we thank you for always meeting us where we are. Open our hearts and hands so that we may be fully present to you and one another. Give us the tasks you call us to tend to, and may we trust you in going where we are sent.  As we recall Jesus’ final week, may we see once more that your love is stronger than death; yesterday, today, and always. Amen. 

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