A friend recently said that the events leading up to the arrest of Jesus help us hang on the idea that out of the ‘compost of life’ will come hope. Like a flowering bulb growing in the dirt, there is life even when things seem a muddy mess. When push comes to shove, the truth is that all of Jesus’ friends abandon him. They’re tired and afraid; it’s all understandable, it’s all very human. For many, one of the worst things we can imagine happening to us would be being deserted by our friends.
There is an interesting contrast in John’s account of the betrayal of Jesus. Judas, we are told, means harm, but delivers this with a kiss. Simon Peter shows what seems like brave loyalty, but does so with violence. Hiding selfish intent with outward kindness or meaning well but getting it wrong; how often can we relate to both?
In the week of Valentine’s day when relationships seem to be, at least commercially, in the centre of everyone’s thinking, it might be helpful to remember that flowers grow in compost, not in perfectly wrapped cellophane. What gives us hope is that out of our mistakes and failures, God can cause beautiful things to grow. In fact, it’s in the mud that we seem to find God’s grace most of all.
The last place you’d expect to look for life is in the dirt of our messed-up existence but that is where God looks. Forgiveness and grace and new life grow here.
Karen Turner
Responses
Good thought.