In the bustling towns and quiet countrysides of ancient Israel, I see myself among the people of Jesus’ time and identify with their needs – and problems. As I walk with the crowds, I say thank You, Lord, for serving us, for feeding us, and for healing us. You didn’t just pass through, but You stopped, listened, and engaged with our needs and shared our joys. And your miracles were not just displays of power but acts of heaven’s love and compassion.
Thank You for teaching us, Lord, and for being patient with our questions, doubts, and misunderstandings. Though we often struggle to grasp the meaning and magnitude of Your words, You continue to coach us with gentleness and wisdom. Thank You for meeting us where we were – in the full array of our humanness -and inviting us to take Your hand and follow You into “more” and “better.” Your call to a deeper relationship with You is a journey toward fullness and joy.
Most of all, I am profoundly grateful for the moment when You resolutely set Your face toward Jerusalem, knowing the suffering that awaited You. Thank You for the courage and love that compelled You to endure the cross, to take on our punishment and pay the ultimate price to redeem us. In Your eyes, we were precious enough to die for, and that same, sacrificial love transforms our lives each day.
So today, Lord, I thank You for the vibrant, life-giving relationship You offer. I am forever grateful for Your love and Your continual invitation to know You more deeply. I trust in Your guidance, lean on Your strength, and rejoice in the journey with You.
Leave a Reply