Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " (John 20:17 NIV)
One of my favorite songs to sing is Steven Curtis Chapman's "Hold On To Jesus". The words of the chorus are echoed throughout the song. I will hold on to the hand of my Savior. And I will hold on with all of my might. I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting, and hold on to Jesus, I will hold on to Jesus for life.....
While I believe that I understand what Chapman is trying to say in this song, it seems to stand
in stark contrast to Jesus' admonition to Mary at the garden tomb. For Chapman, "holding on
to Jesus" speaks of a devotion; a single-minded dedication through which a person decides to follow Jesus no matter what the circumstances of life may be, or the costs associated with that decision. Maybe this is why Jesus' words to Mary have always seemed to be a bit odd to me. After all, isn't this what our lives are meant to be: - devoted - committed - sold out lock-stock-and-barrel to Jesus?? If we can't hold on to Jesus just who, or what are we to cling to?
Author and preacher, Barbara Brown Taylor has helped to lift the veil of unknowing a bit for me in the following word.
The only thing we cannot do is hold on to him (Jesus). He has asked us please not to do that, because he knows that all in all we would rather keep him with us where we are than let him take us where he is going. Better we should let him hold on to us, perhaps. Better we should let him take us into the white hot presence of God, who is not behind us but ahead of us, every step of the way.
I am asking God to help me learn the power of letting Jesus take hold of me; to help me by the
power of the same Spirit evident in Jesus to surrender my plans to His plans. I am trusting that
God will honor this prayer, and teach me the life-giving strength that comes to those who learn
how to get their backsides out of the captain's chair and discover the beauty of a seat in "coach".
Still In ONE Peace,
Jon(the methodist)
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