April 2nd, 2021
Text: Luke 7:22
And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. (NRSV)
When Jesus was asked by John’s followers if he was the one to come or if they should continue looking, he gave the above answer. His answer was not some detailed theological monologue or an angry tirade about the things he stood against, it was a list of the practical things that were taking place in his ministry that provided care for the disenfranchised.
I also notice that every one of the things that Jesus lists as proof that he is the One for whom the world has been waiting, are all things that build someone up. Nothing that he lists are things that push people away or tear people down.
What is the Church’s answer to the question, “Are you the representative of Jesus on earth, or should we wait for another?” Is the Church of Jesus Christ able to point to acts of mercy, healing, good news for the poor, and lives that have been transformed? Or does the Church instead point to such things as keeping ourselves pure and separated from the sinful people of this world. Are we more concerned about keeping certain “kinds” of people outside the walls of our buildings than we are about lifting up Jesus in a way that draws all people to his transforming love? (see John 12:32).
Pray with me:
God of love and God of action may my life be an example of your love to people who have been marginalized by the Church at its worst so that the Church at its best may draw all people to your love. AMEN.
And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. (NRSV)
When Jesus was asked by John’s followers if he was the one to come or if they should continue looking, he gave the above answer. His answer was not some detailed theological monologue or an angry tirade about the things he stood against, it was a list of the practical things that were taking place in his ministry that provided care for the disenfranchised.
I also notice that every one of the things that Jesus lists as proof that he is the One for whom the world has been waiting, are all things that build someone up. Nothing that he lists are things that push people away or tear people down.
What is the Church’s answer to the question, “Are you the representative of Jesus on earth, or should we wait for another?” Is the Church of Jesus Christ able to point to acts of mercy, healing, good news for the poor, and lives that have been transformed? Or does the Church instead point to such things as keeping ourselves pure and separated from the sinful people of this world. Are we more concerned about keeping certain “kinds” of people outside the walls of our buildings than we are about lifting up Jesus in a way that draws all people to his transforming love? (see John 12:32).
Pray with me:
God of love and God of action may my life be an example of your love to people who have been marginalized by the Church at its worst so that the Church at its best may draw all people to your love. AMEN.
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