Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17
Travel in the days of Abraham must have been a life-threatening experience. Slow, too. It couldn’t have been much better in Jesus’ time, although the roads would have been much better because of the Roman Empire’s efforts at building them. Even today, travel is difficult. It is a great act of faith on the part of Muslims who fulfill their duty and their dream of traveling to Mecca.
When the Israelites traveled to Jerusalem, to their beloved Zion, to worship at the Temple, they took courage from singing Psalm 121. Choirs sing part of it today: “He watching over Israel slumbers not nor sleeps (Mendelsohn’s Elijah).” The Psalm promises the guidance and protection of the Lord. However, it can’t mean that. Bad things happen on journeys. Travellers sometimes don’t make it or suffer delays, accidents, injury. Our past winter offered piles of data. Not everything is weather related. Some of the evils related to travel are man-made. And so with our journey through life—it is fraught with perils, many of them man-made, plus natural disasters.
Paul gives a lot of credit to Abraham because of his faith. One way of saying this is: Abraham would have believed Psalm 121. He just left. He went on a perilous journey. He trusted that—even if bad things happened (and they did), God would support him (and He did). Paul is adamant that Abraham’s faith was not activated by circumcision, nor did it arise AFTER he was promised the land, the blessing and all of those descendants. In modern terms, he had faith BEFORE he was baptized.
The very same thing happened in one of the stories from the Acts of the Apostles: people who were listening to Peter’s message received the Holy Spirit BEFORE they were baptized (Acts 10:44). The issue might be framed as one of travel. How far must one travel to get connected to God? The answer is: Not far, because this God is seeking to get connected to YOU. Just turning and looking is enough.
In Jesus’ meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus calls this being “reborn.” New life flows into you like water. It’s the reason Jesus came: so that everyone can experience new life, not just those who have some mark on them like circumcision, or even baptism. God wants to connect with EVERYONE. He sent His Son, not to condemn the world, but to save it.
And if Jesus is the travel agent, he says: Turn in my direction. Take steps. Try to block out your fears of travel. I’ll be with you. Have faith as you begin this journey. Even in the middle of the night, when you are sweating with anxiety, I’ll be awake and ready to listen to your cries.
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