Advent
December 14, 2019
Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:2-11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’ –Matthew 11:2-6
Even in retirement, I can still be surprised by the Bible. I do not know how many times I have read the above scripture, several for sure. Yet, I do not remember reading, And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me. I wonder if God saves these little surprises for the exact time I need them. I cannot imagine being offended by sweet, lovable, gentle, kind Jesus. My childhood picture of Jesus still stands the test of time. The Jesus who challenges faith leaders to do the right thing, the Jesus who runs the money traders out of the temple, the Jesus who kills fig trees because they do not bear fruit in the offseason, the Jesus who routinely eats with sinners and other outcasts, could be off-putting to some who benefit from such activities. He was so offensive to power that he ended up on a cross.
We live in the perilous times where might is right, where we go along to get along whether justice prevails or not. We hope for a greater good without consideration that all good results from our dedication to doing, to the best of our abilities, good in everything.
As we strive to follow Jesus as our role model, we must, too, live lives that may not be acceptable in the mainstream of culture as we work for justice and righteousness doing so in the manner of not intended to be offensive while knowing that doing justice is often offensive to those who benefit from injustice.
Prayer: Lord, Help us be blessings to all people as we strive for your justice and your righteousness. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.