I imagine by this point that Jesus is at the point of imploring. This does not sound to me as words of frustration or disdain for impenitent and hopelessly biased opponents. His heart must have been paining for these men who are blinded to the truth. They are products of their upbringing. Their every pore breathes national pride and passion for the covenant established by God with their people.
As a result of this world view, Jesus is a threat to their religious paradigm. He does not fit their picture of the long-awaited Messiah. He does not exude the type of earthly power they expect in their deliverer. He is just another in the line of pretenders. But there is something different about Jesus, but they cannot see it because it clashes headlong into their prejudices and fears. He is a threat to their faith and their lifestyle.
Is there a bit of them in all of us? In me? Is this the reason people of faith distrust those who do not align themselves with their personal orthodoxy. Is there hope for the people of God if they do not even speak to each other and are threatened by their point of view? Are we also so threatened by anyone who is a threat to our faith and lifestyle as those men in the time of Jesus? Is there a danger that I might become one of these protectors of an orthodoxy that is foreign to the one who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”? God forbid!
No comments:
Post a Comment