Each of us must make a second journey in life. It is a journey of death and resurrection. Luke chapter nine tells of Jesus’ second journey to Jerusalem. His first journey to Jerusalem was when he was twelve years old. Jesus’ first journey is spectacular. He teaches the teachers at the Temple. For the next several chapters of Luke’s gospel Jesus continues to be spectacular. He is on his way up. Chapter nine is a perfect picture of Jesus’ way up. But the second journey is coming – and so is yours. 

Chapter nine begins with Jesus sending out the disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the people. It is a smashing success. It is even a little too successful. King Herod takes note and he is threatened. Trouble is brewing. No matter. Next, Jesus provides bread for the 5,000 and he looks a lot like Moses with the manna in the wilderness. Who do people think Jesus is? A Superstar!

We too spend our productive years becoming superstars. We get an education, we find work, we make a contribution, we start businesses, we get married and build a home. We raise children. We overcome obstacle after obstacle – we fight and we win. In our faith lives we learn and learn and learn – we argue about who’s in and who’s out. We perfect our biblical interpretation.

Next comes the Transfiguration – Jesus is pictured with Moses (the Law Giver) and Elijah (the premiere Prophet) – Jesus is equal to the Law and Prophets! Luke nine then shows Jesus healing a child while he condemns his own disciples and their generation because they are “faithless” (v41). Everyone is amazed with Jesus.

All the while Jesus keeps dropping hints and spoilers of his coming betrayal, arrest, trial, and execution by the religious leaders. Of course no one can imagine Jesus failing. And Jesus attempts to describe the true followers as those who “lose their lives” in order to gain it (v24). Jesus tells his disciples they must enter the kingdom of God as a little child (v48). But just like the disciples, no one wants to hear of the second journey to Jerusalem when they have life by the tail and they feel like they can call down fire from heaven to destroy their enemies (v54).

Ah, but finally Jesus “sets his face to go to Jerusalem” (v51). Each of us must make our second journey in life. Just when you think life will never have any problems you lose your job, your find out you have some disease, your spouse has been cheating on you, your church cheats on you, depression… addictions… or maybe you just suddenly feel disgusted with everything – politics, career, home, hobbies, church, and yes, even God. Now you find yourself sweating drops of blood in your Garden of Gethsemane, asking “is there any way this cup can be avoided?”

But without the second journey you and I will never become who we are supposed to become. Without the cross there is no resurrection. Without the resurrection there is no glorification. It is this death to our own control and success that reveals who we truly are in Christ. Without this second journey we are not free.

How does one prepare for the second journey? First, you must know your Bible, your doctrine, your beliefs, and you must have served the church vigorously, exhibited sacrificial generosity, stayed up all night in prayer and worship many times. This is what you do from when you are 16 years old until you are forty-something. You purge your sinful nature, and you pursue holiness. You admit your mistakes and accept God’s grace. Only then will you be prepared for the second journey to Jerusalem.

Okay – I’ll come clean: you really cannot prepare for the second journey. Was Jesus prepared? Who can prepare for the cross?!

On the other side of your second journey with Jesus is your acceptance of who you really are, warts and all. People will not understand you. You will get in trouble. You will not play the game anymore. You are free from career climbing, free from scrounging for material things and external happiness. You are not tempted to fight political fights. Now you serve as a martyr not a warrior. You have lost your life – and saved it. Oh sure, the old you shows up now and then and you succumb to its temptations. But you have gained a very powerful tool: your “divine smirk.” You smirk not at others, but yourself. You see the old you and it makes you chuckle. “What a goof!” “All worked up, are you?” “Got something to prove, do you?” Comes the Spirit: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). The Hebrew word for “stillness” is like a piece of dry grass sucked up in a candle’s flame – and poof! it is gone (Isaiah 5;24). That’s the result of the second journey.

You are now currently on your second journey. You may not know it but you are traveling toward Jerusalem. You may not believe me, and you may not agree with me. But I guarantee you, it is on your map. This is the only way you will become “fully in Christ.”

Easter is April 1st. how is your journey toward Jerusalem coming along? May the Lord give you strength for the journey ahead.

Also, it is appropriate at this point to let you know that the next contemplative prayer retreat series is open to applicants. If you are on the second journey these retreats are how you make the journey. Here are the proposed dates for all seven Generation 7 Retreats at Conception Abbey with me: 

January 18, 2019 “Solitude” 

April 26, 2019 “Silence” 

September 13, 2019 “Contemplative Prayer”

November 1, 2019 “Crisis” 

February 7, 2020 “Critical Journey” 

April 17, 2020 “Desert Spirituality” 

September 11, 2020 “Rule of Life” 

Soon there will be a sign up form on this website and on Lakeland Community Church’s website.