Thought for the Day – Thursday 9th July
‘Then they reached Jerusalem.’ (Mark
11: 15)
For some reason or another I found myself the other day going about the
place singing to myself the song ‘Hopelessly devoted to you’ from Grease. Not
at all sure why it was in my head, probably I must have heard it on the radio
or something! Anyway, no matter how it became lodged in my head there it was,
this song about love between two high school students – a love which was
strong, a love which overcame hurt, a love which overcame rejection and a love
which enabled them to eventually establish a lasting relationship between them
– both of whom I suppose in turn became ‘hopelessly devoted’ to each other.
Then I could not believe it when I was reading a book of reflections on
scripture by Nick Fawcett yesterday for there was that phrase again ‘Hopelessly
devoted to you’!
Of course, he was talking of the title of that song as summing up the
attitude of Jesus towards the whole of humanity – in other words Jesus being
‘hopelessly devoted’ to all of us. By way of illustration he used the four
words of our text for today – familiar words which we usually read during Holy
Week just before Jesus prepares to cleanse the Temple as he makes his way to
the cross.
Indeed, I agree with Fawcett when he says those four words ‘Then they reached Jerusalem’ appear
very simple at first and I suppose they are for they just tell us he has
arrived in Jerusalem. Yet actually when you think about it they do hold a much
deeper meaning for us, because Jerusalem is the last place that Jesus should have
been going at that time! Jesus knew what was going to happen to him there, he
knew there would be physical and emotional trauma for him there, he knew he
would be spiritually challenged there, he knew he would die there on a cross
and he knew he would have to endure all of this just as any other human being
endures such things – nonetheless he went to Jerusalem.
Why?
Well, because he is indeed hopelessly devoted to us – he loves us with
such devotion – devotion greater than we could ever imagine – and that is why
he made his way to Jerusalem – because he loves us.
However, if we were to apply this song to Jesus I think we would have
to acknowledge that the love he has for us, the devotion he has for us, is not
really ‘hopeless’ rather it brings us great hope, joy, peace and abundant life!
So perhaps it is not just a case of being ‘Hopelessly
devoted to you’ but rather ‘Totally
devoted to you’!
Perhaps, when next we sing the song or hear the song we should think of
Jesus and his devotion for us which took him to Jerusalem and try in our heads
to replace that word ‘hopelessly’ with the word ‘totally’!
Prayer
Loving Lord,
In you we have a wonderful example of love and devotion. We have seen
your love, mercy and forgiveness in action, we have caught a glimpse of your
heart. May you continue to reveal yourself to us each day that we might know
more of your love and devotion in our lives and become even more devoted to
you, and to the serving of others, as you are to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen
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