| | Minneapolis, MN
I
have been reflecting on how Jesus had his focus on others during his
earthly ministry -- not necessarily the religious club members of his
day. When he launched his public ministry in his hometown by reading
from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah and then stating "This Scripture has come true today, before your very eyes,"
the people were impressed with his eloquence and "the gracious words
that fell from his lips." But, the praise and adulation was short-lived
... extremely short lived! In the next moments Jesus said to the
people, "Probably you will
quote that proverb, physician, heal yourself, meaning why don't you
do miracles here like the ones you did in Capernaum?" Then Jesus
has the audacity to say that though there were many widows in Israel
during the time of Elijah, he went to a widow in Sidon (no doubt an
Arab, non-Jew) and that though there were many lepers in Israel during
Elisha's time, he went to heal Naaman, a Syrian (Arab, non-Jew)
instead. Jesus was indicating that his ministry would also be to
outsiders and the actual enemies of Israel. At this notion the
previously adoring crowd is said by Luke to have become "furious" and
jumped up to mob him and attempted to actually throw him off a cliff!
How quickly the fickle crowds will turn we we state our true intentions
of reaching out to the social outcasts and un-lovelies of the
world. "What about us?" the church members will cry! "Who will
meet our needs?" the 40-year Christians will whine. That's when we need
a refuge that will enable us to maintain our integrity in ministry and
fidelity to the true Gospel of Christ.
Jean-Pierre de Caussade has written, "Where shall we find a safer
refuge than in the maternal bosom of His loving Providence? That is
where one's heart should rest as in its beatific center. Outside the
center, there is neither peace nor real repose, nothing but excitement,
bitterness, anxieties of heart, sorrows in our present life and dangers
for our eternal salvation." In the storms of ministry I need to set my
anchor in the bosom of the Savior who weathered a storm or two during
his ministry here on earth. See you in the harbor!©
|
| | Posted 10/19/2005 11:27 AM - 31 Views - 2 eProps - 1 Comment
- recommend
  - recs0
- share
- email
 - sent0
|
