St. Jamesʻ Sunday 3-16-25
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There is a story about a man who fell into a pit and couldn’t get himself out. Several people walked by. One was a subjective person, and when he looked at the man in the pit, he thought to himself, “I feel for you down there.” Then an objective person walked by and said, “It is logical that someone would fall down there.” A judgmental person looked at the man and said, “Only bad people fall into pits.” A mathematician calculated how he fell into the pit. An IRS agent asked if he was paying taxes on the pit. A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on the pit. A self-pitying person said, “You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my pit.” A fire-and-brimstone preacher bellowed, “You deserve your pit.” An optimist looked down at the man and proclaimed, “Things could be worse.” He was followed by a pessimist who said, “Things will get worse.” Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.
This weekend, we hear of Jesus’ determination to come to our aid. Jesus was warned that he should flee because Herod was seeking to take his life. Instead, the threat on his life served to push him forward, all the way to the cross. In the words of a beloved prayer, “Jesus continues to stretch out his hands on the hard wood of the cross.” Jesus continually stretches out his hand to us.
What is your Herod, your fox? What seeks to fill you with fear and anxiety? This weekend’s Gospel lesson tells us that it is not fear that grips Jesus, but something else: Jesus’ commitment to you. Jesus is committed to revealing God’s love and mercy by taking our hand.
Many of us love the hymn, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Written by Thomas Dorsey in 1932 after his wife Nettie and infant son died during childbirth, his words speak for all who feel down in a pit. If, as Dorsey writes, “you are tired, weak, and worn,” take Jesus’ hand. Let him lead you to the light. And if you are having a hard time figuring out how to do this, please be in worship this weekend. You’ll not only be surrounded by people seeking the same, but also by those who are living witnesses of doing it.
With grace and peace,
David
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