Luke 22:1-46 || Grace for When, not If

I had just gotten my driver’s license, and was excited to borrow my parents’ car for an evening out with my friends. Dad set me down at the kitchen table. “I made you memorize the Chicago city map,” he began. “Yea, dad, I know it back and forth.” I said, squirming in my chair. “Ok” he said. “Here’s what you need to do when you get lost, or when you have an accident.” And he went through — yet again — the well-rehearsed list he had drilled into my head at least a dozen times.

I was offended. When? Not if? 

Turns out, dad was wise. And years later, I gave each of my kids the same training, the same list, and the same “when, not if” talk.

Not surprisingly, Jesus gave it to his disciples. And today, to us. See you Sunday. We’ll taste the grace of remembering: in the Word, and in the Sacrament.

Pastor John Sittema