I’m trying to picture today’s reading taking place. Because of all the movies that have been made over the years, I have a real good picture of what the dress of the priests and teachers of the day would be wearing. Then comes Jesus, dressed not as elegantly, yet he is the king of all.
We can be easily deceived by appearances, can’t we? Sometimes we take the liberty to judge others based on appearance alone. I’m not saying this is what the priests and others were doing here; they were troubled by what Jesus was saying and doing. They questioned his authority for it was new and different, and it threatened all that they held dear and sacred.
But did it really? Jesus was God after all, and they were in the business of believing and teaching about God, were they not? But they were blind. Jesus, the Lord himself, was standing in their midst. They should have been bowing down and exalting him. But that was not how the story was set to play out. Jesus would not be able to take on the sins of the world if he had been made top dog in those circles.
Again here, in Mark’s account, we see Jesus with a bit of an attitude. Obviously we don’t know Jesus’ proper inflection or tone, but I get the impression he was keeping his posture, despite their attempts to trap him. Genius. Do you think if Jesus had answered, “by God’s authority” they would have believed him? How do you think the scene would have played out then?
I don’t want to be blind to Jesus and his working in my life. I’m sure you don’t either. We may be placed in situations that are uncomfortable. We may encounter people that don’t look like us or act like us, and that’s okay. God can see within, and we can trust God to bring us to the people he wants for us spend time with, to help, to look out for. On God’s authority, we can stand strong to fight the battles of this world together.
Let’s pray. Lord thank you that you have given me eyes to see and ears to hear your voice. Help me to slow down and take you all in. I pray for all those people who are still running the rat race of life at an unhealthy pace. Watch over and protect them, especially those I hold dear in my heart. Help me to see with your eyes those who need a word form you. Don’t let me close in on myself and not venture out to enjoy your beautiful creation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
