What? Go back to the Jerusalem firestorm? He might as well have said, “Let’s go to Jerusalem so you can see me die.” They have been on the far side of the Jordan for a few days specifically because they had escaped from the maelstrom created by the clash of his ministry with the Jewish powers that be. Certainly Jesus knows the situation in the big city is unstable at best and fatal at worst. They have finally found some sense of calm and relief when Jesus informs them a couple of days beforehand that they would not be returning to Judea, even in the face of his friends’ crisis.
Now the threat is clear and present all over again. Has Jesus not said that there was no reason to go back due to Lazarus’ sickness, just two days ago? No explanation. No clarification. Jesus simply says, “Let’s go.” Against all conventional wisdom, Jesus says, “Let’s go.”
I must confess I have mixed feelings about those moments when all seems to be going well and things are where they seem to me they ought to be. Then Jesus says, “Let’s go.” Am I ready to go when he says go? Am I ready to leave everything I value behind when the marching orders come through? Will I hesitate when he calls me to follow him into imminent danger for his sake? I pray I will be ready, willing, and able to get up and follow him wherever he leads.
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