Fifth Sunday in Lent – John 12:20-33

‘Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also’. (John 12:26; NRSV)

Sometimes don’t you wish that following Jesus were as easy as playing ‘follow the leader’? The leader moves around the yard or playground and everyone who wants to play follows where the leader goes. Sometimes there is jumping and running but there is ever the need to keep up in the hopes that it may come your turn to lead. Jesus is our leader and following Jesus has its twists and turns. Following Jesus has high ground and soggy bottoms. Jesus leads us into dark paths and down back alleys but we are not alone as we continue to follow. Jesus says that no matter where the path may lead as long as we follow we will be with him. As long as we are servants of our Lord we will be where he is. Words of assurance for travel weary servants trying to follow the Master.

O God, help us to follow Jesus, to be his servants in this world. Help us to reach out to those in need so that we live into the promise of where Jesus is there will be his servants also. Amen.

Pastor Roxie Sullivan, First Presbyterian Church (Hiawatha, KS) and First Presbyterian Church (Falls City, NE)