running ahead

We traveled to Richtersveld with friends. The landscape was awesome. The high mountains and jagged rocks left us speechless. A normal car would hardly be able to negotiate the uneven roads. We crawl slowly over rocks and dongas.

One of the vehicles was pulling a small trailer. The driver radioed us to let him pass so he could go find a good place to camp for the group. When we reached it after a while, our camp was ready. A couple of meters from the river. For six days we were able to enjoy nature, play in the water and rest.

That friend of ours was the forerunner of the group, he went ahead, and prepared our site for us.

Jesus was our forerunner too. He who ascended to heaven before us to prepare our place there: twenty… where Jesus, running before us, has assumed his permanent position as high priest for us… This is the only place where the Greek word prodrome, which translates as forerunner, appears in the New Testament.

Do you remember that when Jesus died on the cross, the temple curtain was torn in two? The curtain that separated the Holy of Holies through which the high priest entered only once a year.

Now that the curtain was torn, there was no longer anything to separate God and mankind. Ordinary people could also come to God. Jesus broke down the division that used to exist between people and God.

And He got there first. In a way, He ripped open the curtain so that you and I can talk to God ourselves. In other words, He was the forerunner and the first to pave the way for us. Exactly what our friend did by driving and setting up camp for us.

Our place in heaven is ready. We don’t have to be afraid of missing the bus. And it has nothing to do with us. It has nothing to do with how good I am. If it depended on that, none of us would have made it.

The fact that our place in heaven is ready and waiting for us is only thanks to our forerunner, Jesus. Let’s show him how grateful we are while we are still here on earth. Come on and make a difference in someone else’s life. Let us walk forward and prepare better places for others. Places that are more pleasant, places where we can light up someone else’s world, and where they too can see and accept the salvation of Jesus and make it a part of their lives.

Let us do what our Big Brother did wherever we go. Let us be the forerunners of others and make their lives easier.

Holy Scripture

Hebrews 6:18-20

Reflection

Who walks in front?

Who are you following?

What does Jesus mean to you?

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for moving on. Thank you for being prepared to die on the cross as punishment for our sin. I have no choice but to follow you. Please help me to do it every moment of the day. Amen.