When I visited the Holy Land several years ago, one of our guides said something that has stayed with me ever since. As we were moving from one historic site to another, he paused and asked our group a simple question: “Have you found yourself running where Jesus walked?”
It was an observation more than a criticism. Most pilgrims arrive in the Holy Land eager to see as much as possible in a limited amount of time. The result is that people often hurry from one sacred place to the next, rushing through the very landscapes where Jesus once moved slowly from village to village.
But the guide’s question lingered with me long after the trip ended.
Why do we run where Jesus walked?
The question feels especially relevant in today’s world. Our lives are packed with schedules, deadlines, notifications, and responsibilities. We move swiftly from one task to the next, often feeling like we’re always trying to catch up with something just out of reach.
Many of us experience life at a pace that would have been unimaginable in earlier generations. Information arrives instantly. Demands on our time follow us everywhere we go, through our phones and computers. Even moments meant for rest are easily filled with more activity.
It is not surprising that many people today describe themselves as tired, distracted, or overwhelmed.
Yet when we read the Gospels, we encounter a very different rhythm of life.
Jesus walks.
Jesus walked from town to town, speaking with people along the way. He stops when someone calls out to him. He pauses to notice those who are overlooked by others. He withdraws regularly to quiet places to pray. Even when crowds press around him with urgent needs, he does not seem driven by the same hurried pace that shapes so much of our modern experience.
Is it possible that Jesus knows something that we don’t?
In the stories of the resurrection, that pattern continues. The risen Christ appears in unhurried moments—walking with two disciples along the road to Emmaus, speaking Mary’s name in the garden, sharing breakfast with his friends by the shore.
These are not hurried encounters. They unfold slowly enough for recognition, conversation, and understanding.
Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
During the weeks from Easter to Pentecost this year, we explore what it might mean to rediscover that pace in our own lives. Each week, we will examine a Gospel story in which Jesus stops, listens, or withdraws from the pressures around him. Together, we will ask a simple question that will guide the entire series:
Why run when Jesus walked?
This question is not meant to criticize the busy realities of modern life. Most of us carry responsibilities that cannot simply be set aside. But the question does invite us to reflect on the deeper rhythms that shape our days.
What happens to our relationships when we move through life too quickly?
What happens to our ability to listen—to God or to one another—when our attention is constantly divided?
And what might change if we began to learn the slower, more attentive way of life that Jesus modeled?
To help us explore these questions more deeply, you’re invited to read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. The book explores how the pace of modern life affects our spiritual lives and introduces practices that can help people rediscover a healthier rhythm.
You do not need to read the book to follow the sermon series, but those who choose to do so may find that it adds another dimension to the conversation.
Easter celebrates the good news that death does not have the final word. But the resurrection also invites us into a new way of living—a way shaped not by fear, pressure, or constant urgency, but by the steady rhythm of love.
Perhaps the weeks ahead will give us an opportunity to slow down just enough to notice where Jesus is walking beside us. And perhaps we may discover that the most meaningful moments in life rarely happen at running speed.
From Easter to Pentecost, we will explore seven Gospel stories where Jesus either slowed down or stopped, and what happened at Pentecost that launched the first church:
| Episode | Sunday | Title | Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | April 5 | Hurried | Luke 24:13–35 |
| Two | April 12 | Doubtful | John 20:24–29 |
| Three | April 19 | Unsure | Mark 10:46–52 |
| Four | April 26 | Busy | Luke 10:38–42 |
| Five | May 3 | Prayer | Mark 1:35–39 |
| Six | May 10 | Sabbath | Mark 2:23–28 |
| Seven | May 17 | Worry-free | Matthew 6:25–34 |
| Eight | May 24 | Rhythms | Acts 2:1–13 |
Our journey runs from Easter to Pentecost.
Please join us each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. We share our weekly episodes on Facebook and our YouTube channel, and go live at 10:30 a.m. You can find these links and more information about us, or join our live broadcast on our website, FlintAsburyChurch.org.
Pastor Tommy
Series concept and some content comes from: John Mark Comer. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Colorado Springs : WaterBrook, 2019. ISBN 9780525653097.