Day Ten
A lot of our focus during Lent is on the fact that we are walking with Jesus. It’s such a powerful image for these 40 days—heading to the cross with Christ, where he will sacrifice his life for us, and where the call to die to ourselves and take up our own cross comes to greater focus and clarity. But there is another truth about our journey that is worth spending time thinking about:
Not only are we walking with Jesus…he is also walking with us.
We are invited on this journey by the Lord himself. It is not forced on us, and it is not offered to us reluctantly. This is why he came: to extend the invitation, “Walk with me.” It is his delight to be our companion, to share our joys as we share in his, to share our sorrows as we share in his. He desires to be involved in every part of our lives, meaning there is no stretch of our journey he can’t transform with his presence if we allow him to.
But his transforming presence is not something to be taken for granted. He will never force himself into areas of our lives we don’t offer to him freely and without reserve. Jesus awaits our invitation. Just as it is all joy for him when we answer his call, “Walk with me,” it is also all joy when we ask him in return, “Walk with me,” offering all of our lives and every step of our daily walk into his care.
In Luke chapter 24, Jesus appears after his resurrection to two of his followers making their way to the village of Emmaus, but they are kept from recognizing him. The men are distraught, trying to make sense of the horrible things that had just taken place in Jerusalem and the news that Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb. And what does Jesus do? He walks with them, he offers himself as their companion and proceeds to teach them (after a small admonishment) about the promises of Scripture that have been fulfilled. By the time they reach the village, they are encouraged and captivated by what he has said. Later they remark that their “hearts were burning within them” as he shared the story of Scripture, which was really a sharing of himself.
Luke doesn’t mention the look on Jesus’ face while he spent time on the road with them, but it wouldn’t be surprising if there was a small grin on his face as they began to understand. After all, he hasn’t come just to be a teacher or a leader, he has come to be a friend to those who follow him (John 15:15). As a friend, Jesus takes joy when those he loves find truth, comfort, and peace in the knowledge of who he is and what he as done for us.
During Lent we say to Jesus, the friend for sinners, “Walk with me. Be my companion, my guide, my teacher, and my friend.” Even beyond Lent that invitation is crucial, especially in seasons when we find the path difficult and the spiritual terrain rocky and unsteady. As the Psalmist says:
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”—Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Today as we consider Christ’s desire to walk with us, even through the most difficult seasons of life, we join our voices with those who have known that companionship at a powerful level. The spirituals sung by those subjected to the brutal and evil practice of slavery are a testimony to God’s presence in suffering, and as we make our way to the cross they give witness in a way like no other.
Walk with me, Lord
Walk with me
Walk with me, Lord
Walk with me
While I'm on this tedious journey
I need You, Jesus, to walk with me
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Questions for Reflection
1) The requests made of Jesus in the spiritual are both extremely simple and extremely profound:
Walk with me…hold my hand…guide my feet…be my friend.
Which of these resonates most with you personally and why?
2) Can you identify with the language of the “tedious journey?” What does that word say to you, and what about it rings true? What does it mean to invite Jesus into even that which is “tedious?”
3) Prayerfully consider if there are areas of your life where you have yet to say to Jesus, “Walk with me, Lord…even here.” What might be behind any resistance you sense in that area? What would it look like to offer even that resistance in prayer?
4) Imagine you are walking along a path like the disciples in Luke 24, and Jesus were to appear by your side. What might he find you worried and confused about, and what word might he speak into that worry and confusion?
5) Read and reflect on this verse. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.”—Psalm 23:6 (ESV)