This Page Left Intentionally Blank

I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified.
-I Corinthians 2:2

This is a two-parter, friends. 

Holy week begins in only a few days. Holy week is a journey. We walk with Jesus into Jerusalem, onto the cross, and quietly wait in the tomb. It's dramatic, and it's personal. A story this compelling and emotional is the sort of thing that shapes you in the 100th reading as well as the first one. God suffering with all humanity, to heal and restore all humanity. God bearing the sin of the world, to defeat the powers behind that very sin. Jesus, replanting the world with the fertilizer of his very body. Jesus, who turns every understanding of power and violence on its head. If we allow it, the annual recurrence of holy week peels back layers of our own hearts. It's a time to open ourselves up. 

It's also a time to let the story speak for itself. 

Have you ever noticed those documents for tests or legal stuff that just says, "this page intentionally left blank?" 

You may think those blank pages are just a bureaucratic mystery and a conspiracy to destroy trees. I agree. But beyond that, there are reasons. Pages are left blank in legal documents to separate content, so that subjects don't blend together accidentally. And in standardized tests, pages are also left blank to stop those cheaters who might read the next section’s questions before it’s the appropriate time! But despite all theories, one thing is clear: the blankness of the page is not an accident. It's supposed to be there. A blank page means pause and take a breath before something new starts again. 

Many of us enjoy regularly reading insights from others. We love learning about Jesus and thinking about Christian faith in fresh ways. There is so much content out there. I'm all for it. But there's a shadow side to most everything. And if we're not careful, all the good voices, commentaries, podcasts, books and articles become "spiritual surrogates" in our lives. They may be very good and very helpful at times. But we can also allow them to fill in most of our spiritual gaps and thoughts. We rarely allow ourselves the blank page to pause and encounter Jesus personally with totally open ears.... to embrace a page that's intentionally left blank (and maybe even, to grab a pen....). 

It's scary. Many of us like all the words and thoughts and ideas of others. And yet, from time to time, we must get out of this mindset and journey into the desert alone with Jesus. On a blank page, no one tells us what we're supposed to think or where we're supposed to focus. We are left to encounter Jesus without a filter. 

Next week on Thursday you'll get a normal Together for Good email as you head into Good Friday. It will be completely empty, except a single reminder: this page intentionally left blank. Let it invite you to go directly to the story of Jesus with nothing else to fill up the page. Walk with him into Jerusalem. Pray with him in the garden. Grit your teeth when he is unjustly accused. Flinch with him when he is beaten. Hang you head with him on Friday. And wait quietly on Saturday. 

Encounter the story of Jesus and listen for the whisper of the Divine.

Give yourself a blank page and the chance to do some really beautiful work with God on your own in the coming days. Jesus is eager for the time together. 

If it's helpful to have some framework, you can use these passages as you walk with Jesus this week. 
Monday: Luke 19:41-48
Tuesday: John 14:1-10
Wednesday: Mark 14:1-11
Thursday: John 13:1-17
Friday: Psalm 22:1-19
Saturday: Matthew 27:62-66

The story of the cross reveals the horror of human brokenness and the beauty of God's forgiving love. The resurrection reveals the hope of God's remaking everything for a future of life. Sometimes that's all the commentary we need. Keep your page blank enough this week for Jesus to speak love to the deepest places in you.

Jesus, in the coming days, meet me in your story. 

Peace,
Keith

---