May 17, 2026
Can you answer these simple math problems for me? One plus one equals…? Two plus two equals…? Three plus three equals…? Let’s try a harder one. The shortest distance between two points is a…? Answer: a straight line.
This isn’t just how math works; it’s also how life works. Think of a time when you knew what you needed to do and did it. Maybe your parents told you to make your bed, pick up your clothes off the floor, or brush your teeth. When we just do those things and make a straight line to get them done, everything goes well, right? Mum and Dad are happy, your bed is made, your room is clean, and your teeth are brushed. But when we don’t, when we get distracted or are disobedient, it’s like we take a different path, not a straight line.
This is like when we try to do things our own way instead of God’s way. It goes all over the place. It looks like a giant mess, don’t you think?
In our Gospel for today, Jesus prays that God would keep us on the straight way. Before His crucifixion, He prays to our Father that His death would glorify the Father and Him. He prays that the eyes of the world would be opened and fixed on Him. He prays that we all might see—that we have faith in Him—for in Him there is everlasting life. This is what the straight line looks like.
But even on our best days, we know we’ll stray from the path, weave, and wind around. Because of the sin that our first parents, Adam and Eve, gave us, and that your parents gave you, even if we try, we can’t just go from “Start” to “Finish” in a straight line. We sin.
So Jesus went straight for us. He kept the whole Law of God as set out in the Ten Commandments. He fulfilled God’s will by dying for the sins of the whole world. He gives you His cross-won forgiveness as a gift, out of love for you. He does this to point you straight to the Father and His love. So, while your life will have twists and turns that try to take you away from God, His love, and His forgiveness for you, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are there to walk alongside you. They’re there to forgive and guide you for the rest of your life.
Thank You, Jesus, for walking the straight path for me. Amen.