In the Land Between

In The Land Between

In The Land Between, Jeff Manion uses the biblical story of Israel’s journey through Sinai desert as a metaphor for being in undesired, transitional space. After 400 years in Egypt, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s children travel through the desert (the land between) toward their new home in Canaan. They crave the old but can’t go back and they can’t move forward on their own just yet. But God was there, always near, always with them, always questioning them to bring them home to himself.

Some of us are traveling through undesired transitions (like foreclosure, unemployment, parents in declining health, post-graduate uncertainty, business failure, etc.). We seek hope, guidance, and encouragement. The land between provides a good opportunity for spiritual growth. Jesus wants to meet us in our chaos and emotional upheaval. He wants us to know his goodness and provision during these upsetting seasons.

Two disciples of Jesus find themselves on the way back to Emmaus (Luke 24:13ff). It’s an upsetting season. A time when faith is seeking understanding. They argue. So very human in times of doubt and discouragement. In their search for meaning, Jesus, their teacher, shows up as promised. Notice that the main role Jesus plays in this whole passage is one of Teacher. They needed to be taught. And in the land between this Master/Student relationship is crucial. In Acts 1:3, still in the land between, Luke tells us flat out: Jesus spoke to his disciples for 40 days about the kingdom of God.

He comes near. As a teacher Jesus draws near. He is not a detached voice from on high but a teacher who is closer to us than even our own breath. This coming near is a deliberate, and intentional. Faith building is personal. He pays close attention to what we are discussing along the way. Today in our land between Jesus does what God has always done: He draws near. He knows the land between like the back of his hand. And he wants to be our teacher. I will be with you always. I will send the Holy Spirit who will remind you of my teaching…

He walks along. He keeps pace with his disciples; not ahead or behind but with. He keeps our company and knows where we are on our journey of faith. He knows we are now in “The Land Between”. He walks along because he knows how to take us home to himself.

He asks. The trademark of a teacher is his questions. “What are you arguing about?” What’s the inner conflict? What’s the confusion? What is weighing heavy on you? Jesus understand the subject of their argument: Himself. His answer: A revelation of himself. It’s what they needed. He’s the subject they are disputing.

In times like these, in this land between, Jesus plays the role that he has always played with his disciples from day one. There is hardly a thing Jesus did where he didn’t assume the posture of a teacher. He is our only Savior and Lord. But even in his death and resurrection he never stopped being our teacher: he modeled: “Father, forgive them… It is finished…” Incredible teachings while dying. Incredible teachings in resurrection too: He taught them the kingdom in Acts 1:3.

Our teacher is here. Through his word, by his Spirit, and in our present circumstances, he wants to teach us wonderful lessons of life: “I am near, reach out. I pioneered faith in times like these, follow me. I am your companion on the journey. Lean on me. Ask me. I am with you always.