The Bus

 I was in luck. I saw a bus headed my way. I crossed the street and approached the door. When I looked in I saw the bus driver point, not even looking back at me, around the corner. I went around the corner at a slow jog, when I saw all the people waiting in line. I slowed down to a walk. I would be there when she got there.

After waiting for the man in the wheel chair and his helper to enter the bus, we all entered the bus. She refused to let us pay the fare. I didn’t know why though. I stood as far back as I could go and took my first ride in a long time. I was going from Silver Spring to Washington DC for the annual book festival. I can't live without books and I wanted to know is something from Achebe was there. However, I saw far more valuable things on the ride than after it.

A young woman, baby in a carrier in front of her entered the bus. As she entered we all looked for where she would sit. Somewhere upfront, we suspected. We all identified the same young man sitting in a seat close to the door. He was the only one with no grey hair. He only looked down as the woman and baby passed him by. The old man beside him turned and stared at him. Despite the anger in his eyes, he said nothing. We all stared at him.

Before she passed the middle of the bus, a young woman got up. Saying, “You don’t have to stand. You can sit here.” I can still see her 5’4 frame, black skin, and an island’s lilt.

I blinked. I had just seen justice.

We continued to ride. I had a long way to go and was happy when I found a seat. About three stops later. An older woman entered the bus, cane on her arm as she balanced herself and paid the fair and I saw the young man get up. He walked to the front of the bus and said, “Here. You can sit down.” There was another young African-American who had felt the weight of our stares and anger. He got up several times during my ride to tell another, “You can sit here.”

I blinked. I had just seen repentance.

These are beautiful pictures that intend to keep. Forever. On my blog.

2 Corinthians 7:11

Closing the Loop

This loop begins in Genesis 3:15 NIV: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel." So it begins, the search for the one who would crush the head of the serpent, Satan. Who is searching? Everyone, especially the Woman, was looking for that off-spring who would be the deliverer. There were shadows of that deliverer. We saw can see it now in the stories of Isaac, Moses, Samson, Samuel, and so many others. They were men who born to deliver their people from oppression, to crush the head of their oppressors. Yet, none could crush the head of Satan; none could satisfy our need to regain the immortality we lost.

None accept Jesus.

I found it odd when he addresses his mother as "woman" in John 2. Now, I think he speaks for every "son" whose parents have looked to him to be their savior from shame, futility, and the grave. She calls him to save a marrying man and his family from shame in saying, "They have no more wine." Luke 2:3 NIV. He responds "Woman why do you involve me?" "My hour is not yet come." (Luke 2:4). Yet he responds, he saves the bridegroom and his family from shame in the ensuing verses, 5 - 11.

He speaks for every son and daughter who could not save their parents from death, futility, and shame. Perhaps, they could not save because it was not time for THE Savior. Perhaps they could not save because they were not THE Savior. Perhaps both were true.

In addressing her as "woman." I think he is identifying her with the first person to referred as "woman" because it was her first name: Eve. I think he is beginning to close the loop.

On the cross, he does close the loop. The search for the "offspring" of Genesis 2:15 is over. Parents no longer have to look at their children, searching for and sometimes seeing a deliverer. The only deliver a man or woman needs was on that cross delivering them. He delivered them as he closed the loop. He says to his mother, ""Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."" (John 19: 26-27).

Now each son and daughter is just that, a son or a daughter, none them have to be a deliverer. Each mother and father are just that, a mother and a father not victims and slaves needing to be rescued. They already have been rescued, by and through their union with Christ.

The search is over. The loop is closed.

John 20:15, the risen Jesus says, "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" He then makes the same shift Adam did in the garden. (He went from calling his wife "woman," to naming her, Eve (Genesis 3:20).) He calls her "Mary." She turns to him, recognizing him, and cries out "Rabboni!" She has found him: her teacher, her lord, her friend, and now her Savior.

Our search is over. We have a Savior and no longer need to search for another. His name is Jesus and that is wonderful.