Leave comfort zone to follow Christ's steps
JOE MILLER JR.
Isaiah 50:4-9a

Joe Miller Jr. is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Newton, www.NewtonMethodist.com.

The prophet Isaiah brought good news to his weary people who were living in Babylonia. They were weary because their country Israel, their city Jerusalem, and their temple had been destroyed, and many friends and family had been slaughtered by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.

Many Israelites were carried off into captivity into Babylonia. Chapters 40-55 in the book of Isaiah recount the prophecy that promised salvation and redemption by God, who would rescue His people and bring them back to the land that He had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and had given to the people that Moses led up from Egypt.

This particular short scripture, that is placed within the greater context of the rescue operation being planned by God, tells a rather bizarre story. It seems very strange that people beat the prophet, pulled out his beard (ouch!), spit upon him, and insulted him when he prophesied that God would save them.

Human nature can be very peculiar; some of them did not want to be saved. Why would they reject God's redemption? A possible explanation is revealed within the lives the people themselves. Some, especially the older ones, cherished the memories of their homeland and their temple, and they could not wait to return and worship God in the temple like they used to.

Over a period of time others adjusted to the strange land. They accommodated the culture, lifestyles, and even the idolatrous religion of the Babylonians. They developed a certain comfort with their lives. Living in Babylonia may not have been perfect, but the thought of a big move would require them to move out of their comfort zone.

Change can be really hard, and they fought the idea and the prophet who proclaimed it. Some stayed behind when the remnant of Israel returned home as God had promised.

Of course, about 500 years later some people would fight the salvation offered by Christ and would abuse Him in a horrific manner. On Palm Sunday He marched into Jerusalem triumphantly with a large crowd of followers who were presumably ready to leave their comfort zones and accept Him as their king.

We know that there were others who were not so moved. Their comfort zones were so ingrained in them that they could not see what He offered to them. The same thing is true today. Many people are comfortable.

Maybe we are too comfortable. Never in the history of humankind has any group of people enjoyed the standard of living that we Americans have been blessed with. When confronted with the Good News that far exceeds the good news proclaimed by Isaiah, we are just too comfortable to move.

During this Lenten season I have been wondering about myself. Although I decided to follow Christ many years ago, I wonder if He is calling me beyond my current comfort zone to a relationship closer to Him and closer to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I view the cross during Holy Week, but am I prepared to pick up my own cross and follow Him to Golgotha?

I think I would rather skip Golgotha and go straight to the empty tomb. How about you? Thank God that we know that is why He died for us!

May you have a joyous Easter knowing that Christ died for you!