Today’s scripture: Luke 20:41-47 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Julie Walsh):
I think every one of us has a trigger or a hot button — the one thing that just seems to set us on fire. Mine is having my integrity challenged. When assumptions or conclusions were drawn about me that have been false, I have felt deeply hurt, betrayed, and defensive. These challenges ranged from questioning whether I might have a substance abuse problem to whether, as a child, I lied to my parents about stealing my brother’s kite. It includes the accusation of having an inappropriate relationship with a student and being accused by my spouse of preparing an unusable batch of dough for Christmas wreath cookies.
The underlying issue of this hot button is that somehow I feel I have been mistrusted for my word. Obviously, there must have been a reason why these conclusions were drawn. Maybe I was seen with a couple drinks in my hand at a social event having too good of a time. Perhaps because kids have been known to lie to their parents, I should have been no different. Maybe my approach and some of my actions were so radical that someone assumed I went farther and crossed a line. Perhaps I wasn’t even being challenged, but because of my own life experiences I perceived it as such.
I have just wanted to jump up and down, insisting, “Listen to who I am!”
Jesus had his integrity challenged over and over throughout his life. The first part of this passage is just one more example of Jesus defending himself. How exasperated he must have felt by the time he was standing in front of religious and political authorities who continued to challenge his integrity — and issued a death sentence to go with it!
Maybe Jesus was seen in too many situations that contradicted what the religious laws prescribed. Perhaps all of the other self- proclaimed messiahs had established a pattern, so Jesus should have been no different. Maybe his approach and some of his actions were so radical that someone assumed he went farther and crossed a line. Perhaps he wasn’t even being challenged, but because of his life experiences he perceived it as such.
Realizing that Jesus, in his own way, experienced similar challenges and feelings gives me confidence that Jesus understands me. He sees my heart and can empathize with my reactions. Because of this, I feel comforted and validated for being exactly who I am, wherever I am.
Thought for the day: Jesus not only listens to who you are, but he can relate in a familiar way. Be comforted and secure knowing that Jesus meets you as you are, wherever you are.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.