Today’s scripture: John 8:38-59 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Squire):
Today’s reading is a “repeat”, but it seems to me it’s worth looking at in a little more depth. Jesus really lays some serious things on the line. In this passage he claimed that his words are the way to life, and that has to be one of the most important claims we’ll ever consider.
It appears he was talking to people who were followers, but had ceased to follow. I guess I see them as “fans” of Jesus. He was cool to be around — he said thought-provoking things, and you never know when a miracle would break out! — but they hadn’t made any fundamental shift in their way of thinking or living.
I know that I struggle with some of the things Jesus taught. Earlier this year, the Indiana General Assembly passed the first round of the process that will add an amendment to the state constitution to ban marriage for gay people. The wording of the amendment also bans any other form of recognition, like civil unions, and could jeopardize company-provided benefits or even private contracts like wills or powers of attorney.
As I watched the debate surrounding this process (as much as I could stomach), I was sometimes seething with anger over how the House and Senate will pander to the meanest, most narrow-minded subset of their constituency, and use my family as a target and scapegoat. But even when I’m so angry it’s making me ill and I want to strike back, I still can’t forget the call from Jesus to a way that is higher. For me, that often takes me to Matthew 5:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…. Matthew 5:44-45
I remember these words of Jesus, and I think, “But I don’t want to love them, or bless them, or do good to them.” The best I’ve been able to do, so far, is half-heartedly pray for them.
And that’s just one example. I’m sure you can think of plenty of other ways we all marginalize the magnitude of change Jesus asks of us.
Thought and prayer for the day: Am I a follower of Jesus, or just a fan?
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