March has come in like a lion. After several balmy days causing the little nubs on the crepe myrtle outside my kitchen window to swell and turn bronze and green, suddenly the winds rose, temperatures fell and in Texas Blue Norther fashion, March 1 dawned near freezing. In my Bible readings in Luke, I feel the progression as Jesus begins to intensify his teaching to his disciples and turn steadily toward Jerusalem and His cross. I am reflecting on how He must have felt the changes in His followers' "weather" of understanding and relationship. One day they seem so eager and in tune and perceptive. Overnight, or the next minute there can be change to clouds of "me first" and questioning. Jesus must have felt them waxing warm and then cold, peaceful, then blustery. It is easy for me to raise an eyebrow at the disciples scuffling along on hot dusty roads among crowds of questionable people, many with urgent needs. I am so spoiled to comfort.
I think of the weather proverb we apply to March. "In like a lion. Out like a lamb."
Jesus entered Jerusalem like a lion. Lion of Judah. King. Hosanna.
He left, a lamb.
As He said...not "The End", but "It is finished".
It wasn't easy, but it was life-giving.
