On the Way to Jerusalem by Cheri Holdridge (with an assist by Patti Lusher

When my kids were in Kindergarten, each of them had the same teacher, Mrs. Nofzinger at Gesu School. I volunteered in her classroom at various times during both Becca and Jamie’s year of Kindergarten so I got to observe Mrs. Nofzinger in action. I have to tell you, she was a joy to behold. She could have 22 little five years olds enrapt as she told a story. Then she would have them do workshop which meant they would each go to stations and do some little project. Those kids would do it! She floated around the room answering questions and watching as her charges learned by doing. If there ever was a conflict, Mrs. Nofzinger, being a Mennonite, would send the two children to the “Peace Corner” to work out their differences. I’m telling you, this teacher knows her stuff. Carol Nofzinger is an example of someone who has found her purpose in life. She knows why God put her on this earth. She was put on this earth to be a Kindergarten teacher, at least for this season of her life.

We all have a purpose, probably more than one purpose as we go through the seasons of our lives. God made you and me with particular gifts and graces so that we could live out our purpose. Your purpose gives you joy and it gives the world joy when you live it out. Some purposes are related to our vocation and others are not. Some people might just have a job to pay the bills and live out their purpose in their free time. Today we’re going to talk about purpose.

Jesus had one ultimate purpose: to go to Jerusalem and to give himself up to be killed by King Herod and Pontius Pilate, so that he might be raised from the dead in all his glory. Because he knew this was his purpose, he lived with courage and without fear. When the Pharisees came and warned him that Herod was on the hunt for him, Jesus did not back down. He knew he would eventually be brought before Herod. But in the meantime, Jesus had other work to do. He would clear out demons and heal the sick, because that’s what Jesus did during his time on earth. He cleared the demons out of people’s lives and he healed them from dis-ease.

Jesus took broken people and made them whole again. He did it by telling them they were beloved of God. He told them that no one is perfect, and he told them that we are all made perfect by God’s love in us. I know that sounds confusing but it is the truth. As human beings we make mistakes. We pull ourselves away from God through sin. But God loves us and when we accept God’s love, that love can fill us up completely so that for moments in time we can be made perfect in God’s love. It’s like your life is an empty glass and God’s love is water. There is an endless supply of water that can fill up your glass, so your glass can be overflowing with God’s love. During his ministry on earth Jesus came to show us that we can be healed of our brokenness by being filled with God’s love for us.

So when the Pharisees came and told Jesus that Herod was on the hunt for him, Jesus said, “Tell that old fox I have no time for him.” Jesus could not concern himself with threats because he was focused on his mission. He said “today and tomorrow I’m busy clearing out demons and healing the sick but the third day I’m wrapping things up.” This was an allusion to the third day when he would rise from the dead. Jesus was pointing their attention to what was about to happen in Jerusalem.

Then Jesus talks about Jerusalem. He mourns for Jerusalem as a killer of prophets and abuser of the messengers of God. Again he is alluding to his impending death. Everything important is going to happen in Jerusalem. Then the mood shifts for a moment as Jesus becomes pastoral. He says: “How often I’ve longed to gather your children, gather your children like a hen, her brood safe under her wings.” Jesus sees himself like a mother hen and he wants to gather Jerusalem like a bunch of baby chicks under his wings. A mother hen does this to protect her brood from danger and keep them safe. Even though Jerusalem kills prophets and will kill him, Jesus feels protective. He wants to save the people of Jerusalem.

Then, sadly, the mood shifts back and Jesus condemns them. He says: “but you refused and turned away! And now it’s too late.” Jerusalem is part of the plot against Jesus. They have turned away from him and turned away from God. They refuse to be protected by the mother hen. Jerusalem must play its part in Jesus’ final days.

Jesus says: “You won’t see me again until the day you say, ‘Blessed is the one
who comes in the name of God.’” Here Jesus is pointing to the day when he will enter Jerusalem and the people will wave palms and shout Hosannas and say “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.” That day is coming soon. That day leads to the day when Jesus will fulfill his ultimate purpose. He will be betrayed and denied by his own disciples. The people will turn on him. The high priests will have him convicted. He will be crucified. This is his purpose. He died so he might show us how much he loves us. He did not back down. He faced death and did not save himself. He died an excruciating death, but put his trust in God. He knew he would be resurrected in all his glory. Jesus fulfilled his purpose.

What is your purpose? I can’t tell you what it is. Only you can figure that out. Maybe you are living your purpose and if you are: well done! Keep on trusting God and living God’s purpose for your life.

Maybe you are still seeking your purpose for this season of your life. If you are, here are some tips for how to find your purpose. First, pray to God for discernment. This is not meant to be taken lightly. A season of prayer is essential when it comes to making life decisions. This is a prayer of listening to God. Too much talking will drown out God’s voice. Find a quiet place to sit and just listen to God. Ask God, what is my purpose in this season of life? And wait for God to give you clues. You may get a clear answer, or you may get clues.

Another way to find your purpose is to ask a few close friends. Ask them what they see as your gifts and strengths? I’ll never forget once Kurt and I were in a small group. There was a woman in the small group who used to be a teacher and then she tried a couple more careers. She was doing something else when she was in our group. I can’t even remember what. One of the purposes of our group was to help people to discern their call. One night the woman came to us and said, “I’ve come to a realization. I think I need to go back to teaching. I’m a good teacher; I love teaching. And I think that’s what I’m called to do.” The whole room burst out in laughter and said “Of course, we all see it.” We confirmed for her that she had the gift of teaching; that teaching was the reason God put her on this earth, and all these other things she had been doing really did not make sense to any of us. Sometimes your friends and family can help you see your purpose when your vision is cloudy.

Another way to find your purpose is to make a list of your strengths, and what gives you joy. God does not want us spending our time doing what does not give us joy. Make a list and then study it. Pray over it. Journal about it. Draw pictures about your list. Doodle it. See what emerges. You just never know what you might see until you begin to write some things down on paper.

Once you have an idea of your purpose for this season of life, test it out. If you think your purpose is to be a social worker, before you quit your job and enter a Master of Social Work Program, meet a couple of social workers and shadow them. Take one class and see how you like it. Put your toe in the water and see if this really is your bliss.

If you think your purpose is to start your own business then talk to some small business owners about what it was like to start a business. Read some books about starting a business. Find out what you are getting yourself into.

You will get confirmation along the way if you are on the right track. God will give you signs. People will cross your path to encourage you. Things will fall into place in ways you could not have imagined.

We all have a purpose. It may change in different seasons of life, but God put us on this earth with a unique purpose. Jesus’ purpose was to spend his life showing the people how much God loved them, and then to die on the cross to continue to show the depth of his love. In the resurrection we saw his ultimate purpose, to give us the hope of eternal life.

What is your purpose? If you don’t know what it is I invite you into a time of discernment with God so that you can find your purpose. If you do know your purpose, then I encourage you to live it out with every ounce of your being. Don’t waste any time with self-doubt or second guessing. Be the person God put you on this earth to be. Amen.