We spend a lot of time following directions and people and paths. They can get us lost.

So our lesson for today is this: Follow the example of Jesus, because our hope knows there is more to life than what we see.

Jesus was popular, for a while. We’ve heard stories about crowds and followers and healings and miracles. We know that Jesus the son was blessed by the Father and encouraged by the Spirit.

But why did he need encouragement?

Because Jesus, as popular as he was with the people, was a threat to those in power.

We heard a bit ago about a warning that Jesus got. “Herod is looking for you.”

Let me set the scene for us.

Jesus had spent almost three years moving where he wanted to. He started in Galilee, several walking days away from Jerusalem, from the place of power. He traveled to Jerusalem once a year during those three years to worship at the Passover. But he also travelled away from Jerusalem. For a few months, he took what looked like a wandering path out in the small towns and wilderness away from crowds. All the time he was teaching. Teaching his disciples, teaching others. All the time he was living, praying, eating, sleeping in whatever accommodations there were.

During this time of his life, he had no home, no regular place where he lived. He would go back to Capernaum, but there’s no sense of his own house.

And then the time comes. He sets his face like flint toward Jerusalem. Though it won’t be a fast journey, though he will continue to teach and to heal, his path started to straighten out. The circles become a straighter line.

And in the middle of that time, when Jesus is moving toward Jerusalem even though others may not have realized it yet, some Pharisees came and warned him.

“Protect yourself.”

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It’s Lent.