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Some time ago, National Geographic printed a feature article on the Appalachian Trail. This national treasure is a hiking trail 2,175 miles long that goes from Spring Mountain, Georgia, basically along the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains all the way to Mount Katahdin, Maine.

The opening story was about a young man who began his journey in late April at the base of Springer Mountain. His objectives were twofold:

1. To successfully complete his awesome wilderness journey by fall.

2. "To find himself."

He arrived at the top of Mount Katahdin five months later, only to discover that after all the reflection and solitude, all the spent energy, he had not found himself. Perplexed and mentally and emotionally exhausted, he turned around and hiked all the way back to Georgia, arriving the following spring. And guess what? He still had not found himself. True story.

In our text for today the people of Israel were hiking in the wilderness. They were on a twofold mission:

1. To reach the promised land.

2. To grow in faith and identity as God's chosen people.

As we contemplate the Exodus story and the situation in which the people of Israel found themselves, it seems appropriate to ask why God gave them the Ten Commandments. What was the big deal?

Scholars tell us there are two primary reasons.

One reason centered on the challenge of survival and living together as a people. They had been in the wilderness for several years. There had been tensions, rebellions, disobedience, altercations, and times of disillusionment! They became physically, mentally, and emotionally weary. It was a good time to hear from God, so God sent them a gift -- The Ten Commandments. First and foremost, they begin with good news, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (v. 2). God's love and renewal of promise always seems to come first. The children of Israel and God's people throughout the ages always find their way as they remember the promises and allow God to renew their faith.

Secondly, the Ten Commandments became a catechism in the wilderness that helped the people of Israel continue to be faithful to God and respectful of one another. Both were essential for their survival.

It's the same for us along our journey. Sometimes it's tough. The distractions are abundant. The temptations are relentless and very seductive. However, we know that obedience to good directions and following Jesus is a great way to live.

Fred Craddock once told a cute story about sitting in church one hot summer night with the windows open. He was listening to the preacher drone away when a man came by the church building and stopped by the window and said, "Psst, psst." Fred responded, "What is it? I'm listening to the sermon." The man responded, "Come with me. I know where there is a pearl of great price that's more valuable than all other pearls in the world. In fact, where I am going, there is treasure buried in a field and even bums are invited to sit at the king's table. Come, go with me."

Fred argued with the man a bit, listened to the rest of the sermon, then spoke with the preacher after the service. He told the preacher how he was disturbed and hoped it didn't upset him during his sermon. The preacher asked Fred who the man was and if he was getting anybody to join him. And Fred said, "Well, none of our crowd went, but I noticed he had about twelve with him."1

The twelve disciples were certainly familiar with the joys and challenges of following Jesus. They understood the expectations. They were beginning to understand what it meant to be a team. Above all, they understood the strength and grace that held it all together through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Ten Commandments are a precious gift, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is even greater.

Both are about God who loves the people he created.

Both are about God who promises to be faithful in love to each of us, all sealed in the blood of our Lord.

Both are about relationships we share as God's people.

And it is all a gift!

As we reflect on God's gifts to us, there should be a certain freedom that occurs in our hearts. But occasionally there arises a tension in this freedom -- this sense of security in God's promises on the one hand and a sense of accountability to God on the other. Some see the Ten Commandments as a means of accountability and a reminder that God requires perfection. Such perception can produce fear, which may not be what God fully desires. In fact, it just might be that fear is the one thing that God desires most to abolish because it can be so destructive.

Once upon a time, a very devout Christian confessed that he was often haunted by a terrible dream. He dreamed that while traveling in a particular city he ran into an old high school classmate. In the bad dream, the person would ask, "Henri, Henri, haven't seen you in years. What have you done with your life?" The question always felt like judgment. He had done some remarkable things in his life, but there had been some struggles and misfortunes. So when the old schoolmate in the dream would ask, "What have you done with your life?" Henri didn't know what to say, how to account for his life. Then one night he had another dream. He dreamed that he was waiting outside the throne room of God, waiting to stand before the almighty, shivering with fear. He just knew that God would be surrounded with fire and smoke and would speak with a deep voice saying, "Henri, Henri, what have you done with your life?" Then, in the dream, when the door to God's throne room opened, the room was filled with light. From the room he could hear God speaking to him in a gentle voice saying, "Henri, Henri, it's good to see you. I hear you had a rough trip ... but I'd love to see your slides."2

As we reflect over the gifts, let's remember the goodness and the grace of God, most of all! His love and mercy endures forever.

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1. Fred Craddock, Craddock Stories (St. Louis, Missouri: Chalice Press, 2001), p. 36.

2. www.day1.net/index.php5?view=transcripts&tid=34.