DAY 155

CONFUSION

2 Chronicles 21 & 22 and John 14

Has your world ever been “confused?” You find yourself trying hard, really hard, and yet everything around you just is not making sense.

I imagine in the time of these 2 Chronicles passages that the average, everyday person would be confused. The new king kills all his brothers. He does this to theoretically make his throne more secure. Yet then he makes alliances with kings and people who do not follow the Lord God which will result in a most unsecure throne. And there you are, trying to make it all work, while the king is confused to say the least.

I’ve got to think the disciples were confused. Our New Testament reading is from John 14. It is Jesus’ words to His disciples; no one else is around. It is the last night He will be with them before the Cross. In this final discourse we get wonderful words from Jesus: Words such as “I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” Words such as, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms.” I could keep listing more of them, this passage is a feast of Good News.

Yet the disciples are troubled. We read Philip’s words and Thomas concern. They are worried and confused.

Maybe you are worried and/or confused. I get that way, more than I care to admit. I am here trying hard, really hard, and yet…well there is the mess with the National Church, and then there is the struggle with having a viable Parish, there are of course all the financial challenges…”is this really what Jesus intended,” I begin to opine. The Cathedral needs about 5 million dollars worth of repairs, and the congregation is full of nice people, but really about half the size it should be to make this place viable. And those nice people, the congregation, they have their individual challenges. Then there are the poor and struggling…there are many of them, and we, ill-equipped to help…so is this what Jesus wants me to be doing? Then there are family pressures and issues, all suffering because of over commitment to the job – and even without a job it is not clear there would be enough time…again more confusion.

Following the appointed kings of Judah must have been confusing for the people of the day. Following Jesus was certainly confusing that night of John 14 for the disciples. Following Jesus from today can be equally so.

So given all this confusion what do we find our Lord telling his disciples…after He gives them all these wonderful words…and He does give them many wonderful words…He says, “Obey.” I find that interesting. In the midst of all their confusion Jesus tells them to obey the commandments. Not to earn His or His Father’s love (after all He is going to the Cross), but rather to help them. Obeying the commandments is the path amid the confusion. Obeying the commandments will keep you from complicating an already confusing situation. Sometimes you and I will simply be “gutting it out” and trying to do our best wondering if the sun will ever appear in the dark sky. In those moments, do not stray and hold onto the words of Jesus, “let not your hearts be troubled, believe in me, believe also in him who sent me”…and in the mean time just stay focused and obey all that I have taught you. When you do, not only will you get through, but the world (all the other people who are just or even more confused then you) will notice.