“Come This Way”

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV)

We were in row 11, my favorite on Southwest Airline flights when I’m flying with Mary. It’s an exit row with an absent window seat. A two-seat row: perfect.

But because this is an exit row it carries the perfunctory flight attendant warning and the corresponding verbal acknowledgment that “we know that we’re seated in an exit row and are willing to help.” On flight 2283 bound for Islip, New York… the compulsory flight attendant warning changed form and instructed not only my mind, but my heart and soul as well.

Tim, our flight attendant, moved through his instruction with a level of detail that I have never heard before. “If you hear a flight attendant announce EVACUATE, this is what I want you to do.” He then proceeded to give Mary instructions about opening the emergency door. He told the three individuals in the exit row behind us what they should do to help passengers onto the wing and then down to the ground. Each person had a defined role… except for me, seat 11D, the aisle seat. That was until Tim fixed his gaze on me… “And you, when you hear the word EVACUATE, I want you to stand on your seat and shout, “Come this Way!” To passengers front and back, to the terrified and the lost. To the mothers and fathers and children and businessmen and women… to everyone. “Come this way!”

I had hardly expected that before flight 2283 ever left the ground at Midway Airport in Chicago that I would be “handed” my job description… but there it was. The call of the followers of Jesus the Christ… “Come this way!”

To the cross.

To healing.

To power.

To hope.

To forgiveness.

To redemption.

To promise.

… to an empty tomb… come this way.

Our only escape. The only exit row. The only way out…

“Come this way”… He is risen indeed.