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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 27, 2007 |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, February 27, 2007 by Gary Shaffer
Mark 2:1-17
Many years ago when I was in college, I was fortunate to come across a Bible study resource "Encounters with Christ." Over the years, I have that study as a basis for leading many classes and bible studies for groups of all ages. Through the stories that were presented and the author's background information, Jesus was portrayed as much more confrontational than I had ever previously envisioned him. It was a portrayal that seemed to fit my needs at that time and I liked it very much. It is very much the Jesus we encounter in the gospel of Mark and particularly in today's scripture passages.
The healing of a paraplegic becomes a pointed confrontation with religious scholars. Walking along the lakeside teaching, he calls a tax collector to follow him, again precipitating a clash with the religious leaders and scholars.
In his commentary on these verses and healing of the paraplegic, William Barclay says, "In this incident, Jesus signed his own death warrant - and he knew it."
As I said earlier, I like this confrontational Jesus -or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I need this confrontational Jesus. I do not like conflict. I seriously tend to avoid it. However, I realize that much of my personal growth as an adult has come from encounters with people who were honest and forthright. Sometimes brutally honest. Reflections of me mirrored by persons who weren't trying to be politically correct or patronizing but challenging me to change, grow, move out of my comfort zone, and even repent.
What are the confrontations here? Jesus tells a paraplegic his sins are forgiven - blasphemy! Only God can do that. Jesus calls a tax collector to follow him and spends time with sinners and outcasts of society. Alarming! Jesus comes to those who need him not limiting his association to those who are "acceptable" by society's standards. The spiritually weak, the sick in soul. To each of us where we are - but also moving us along. Challenging us to grow, to change, to come home.
The people who one would expect to most quickly recognize God's hand in Jesus' acts - the religious leaders and scholars can not hear him saying "Child, God is not angry with you. Come home, and don't be afraid." (William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible Series). They are too offended by his actions. That is why I also need the confrontational Jesus in my life - calling me home, forgiving my sins and challenging me to repent and be more than I ever dreamed I could be - to be God's child.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for being a mirror for my soul. Help me Lord to grow in spirit, in love and compassion, to pick up my mat and walk. Strengthen me to better reflect your love to the people who look to me for guidance and compassion and help and most of all, Lord, help me to love those around me that have been cast out and need someone to call and welcome them home. Amen.
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