Let's Go!

The phrase, “Let’s go!” has become popular lately, even at Shepherd. I’m watching the Olympics and noticing people saying that in different languages before or after their competitions. It’s an encouraging and community building call to action and a celebration of great things already accomplished. After reading the Gospel for this Transfiguration Sunday, I can imagine Peter, James and John being filled with a “Let’s go!” type of feeling as they walked down the mountain with Jesus. They witnessed Jesus in His glory, and the mind-blowing Father God speaking an undeniable affirmation of Jesus, His Son, their friend, their Messiah. Oh, and they saw Moses and Elijah with their own eyes. Jesus was continuing to prepare them for great things. But Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Sometimes, it seems, “Let’s go” needs to sit in our hearts and minds a bit until the right time. 

With “Let’s go” burning in their hearts, they were emboldened to face Jesus’ last days. As the Father said, “Listen to Him,” so they did. Every word from every parable and every teaching must have stuck in their minds. Then their resurrected Master came back to them. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” That was the right time for the disciples to act on His Words and share what they’d seen. The right time for each of us has come many times during our lives if we’ve walked with Jesus a long while. Feels like God is stirring up the right time in the hearts and minds of Shepherd’s people today, doesn’t it? Let’s go!