“Hurry up, take your time” Words of wisdom spoken by the Cat Man, a popular street performer in the Florida Keys. These words are often shared at the Storie home when we find ourselves in too much of a hurry. If our lives get too rushed, we remember these words from the Cat Man as a reminder to slow down. You may be wondering, ‘how can you do both, hurry up and take your time?’ You can’t, it doesn’t make sense. This is true of our lives, we can’t hurry and take our time. If we agree that our lives shouldn’t be rushed, then what are we to do. We slow down, we take our time, otherwise we will miss out on some important moments. Those with grown children, will tell you to treasure those years when your children are young because the years will pass by quickly. No matter our age, we shouldn’t be living life in a hurry. We need to slow down.
The first account of Jesus’ life is found in the gospel of Mark, the shortest of all four gospels. Mark doesn’t give an account of Jesus’ birth, and seems to rush through his life until he arrives at Holy Week. Mark writes ten chapters on the life of Jesus, some thirty three years, and then takes an additional six chapters to describe the events of just one week. Why so much detail for one week? As Christians we know the importance of this week as it leads up Easter. Easter is my favorite Sunday to be at church. It is one of the worship services I look forward to the most. However, if we hurry and rush to the celebration of Easter, we will miss out on all the events that took place during Holy Week. As we continue our journey to the cross during this season of Lent, may we be quick to slow down in order to experience the presence of God during the days ahead. Here Tuesday’s reading for Holy Week, Jesus’ last few days -Slowing down to walk with Jesus.
Tuesday – A day of Teaching and Controversy, Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:23 – 24:51; Mark 11:27-13:37; Luke 20:1-21:36. Jesus taught in parables and warned the people to watch out for the Pharisees. He predicted the destruction of the temple and told his disciples about future events, including his own return.
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Mark 12:28-34 (NIV)
Walk with Jesus today by remembering one of the lessons he taught today, The Greatest Commandment Mark 12:29-31. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are to love our neighbor. We are to love ourselves.