The Threat of Jesus

OPENING PRAYER. . .Loving God, Creator of all that is, here I am--today in this place that you have given me, with all the senses you have given me. Help me to use them to experience you on a deeper level. May I experience you all around me, open me to know more of your ways and know that your goodness surrounds me. Thank you for this time to be with you, to be still and to just listen. Amen

LISTEN: Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise. But some from the crowd were cynical. “Black magic,” they said. “Some devil trick he’s pulled from his sleeve.” Others were skeptical, waiting around for him to prove himself with a spectacular miracle.
Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Any country in civil war for very long is wasted. A constantly squabbling family falls to pieces. If Satan cancels Satan, is there any Satan left? You accuse me of ganging up with the Devil, the prince of demons, to cast out demons, but if you’re slinging devil mud at me, calling me a devil who kicks out devils, doesn’t the same mud stick to your own exorcists? But if it’s God’s finger I’m pointing that sends the demons on their way, then God’s kingdom is here for sure. Luke 11:14-20

CONSIDER:  One third of the Gospel texts are devoting to telling us of Jesus healing people. From paralysis to leprosy, from mental illness to death itself, Jesus touched bodies and minds and gave new life. In Jesus's time, it was thought that if you were sick or afflicted with some disease, you must have a demon inside you. The enemies of Jesus thought that he was in cahoots with the devil to cast out demons. They were really just trying to discredit the goodness that was in Christ that challenged a deep-seated envy and hatred of Jesus. But the reality was that Jesus wanted to do good for others and release them from bondage, whether that was from illness, demons or the exploitative requirements of the religious establishment.

SO WHAT:   Jesus was seen as a threat to the Priests and Pharisees whose opposition was motivated not by promoting the welfare of others but by making Jesus look bad.  Jesus was doing something good. . . something that the Priests and Pharisees were unwilling or unable to do. But how about us? 

• How often do we find fault with others who are doing the good that we claim to support but we ourselves do not carry out?
• Do we try to keep others from doing good because it wasn't OUR idea or because we don't want to do it? 
• If others are burdened with sickness or addiction, how often do WE pray for them or help them if we can?

Today. . . be aware of how you respond to others who are doing good.  Cheer them on and don't feel threatened by them or resent them.  How might you JOIN them or follow their example?

PRAY: Dear God, help my heart and mind to be like yours.  Open my eyes to see the good that others are doing around me and help me to be an encourager of that good. Help me to not feel threatened by the good they are doing and lead me to join them in following your example. Amen