The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 6:11,
"They were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus."
The "They" in the above were various Pharisees and teachers of the law. These were the religious leaders of the day, the ones who laid claim to the mantle of experts in the things of God. If you wanted to know something of God, they were the ones a person was expected to look to. They were the ones who taught others about God, who established the expectations if one wanted to draw near to God, seek God's forgiveness, his love and acceptance.
Yet, they couldn't even recognize the Son of God when he showed in their midst. Not content in their ignorance, they went so far as to oppose the Son of God at every turn. "The Pharisees and teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely..." Luke 6:7.
I suspect very little has changed over the years and that what we see in much of the leadership of those who are the religious leaders of our day is not often different. We have plenty who claim to hold the mantle of expert in the things of God. They are the ones who put themselves forward as the ones to go to if a person wants to know something of God. They write books, are found on the speaking circuit and hold massive services and meetings. They have offers for us on TV and will send us pamphlets, books and tapes.
I also suspect many of them would fail to recognize the Lord, were he to show up in our midst.
So, I ask myself the same question... would I recognize the Lord today? As most, I would like to think I would. But he may not be like I'd expect. He might be someone who would show up expressing an unfathomable love for drug addicts and prostitutes. Is that what I'm expecting? He might rather be down at the bar sharing things with the folks there, having a beer with them rather than in church for the Sunday evening service. Is that what I'm expecting? He may hold a love in his heart for child molesters, rapists and thieves. Is that what I'm expecting? He might even seek out folks who have gotten divorced, filed for bankruptcy, behind in their payments, defaulted on their mortgage, before he'd seek out me. Is that what I'm expecting?
At one point in his ministry Jesus was asked, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" His reply, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32.
Yes, it just might be with the "occupy Wall Street" crowd, the socialists, the gay crowd, the bikers or even politicians the Lord might be found with were he to resume his earthly ministry today. Would I recognize him? I would like to think so. I certainly wouldn't want to be found furious with him. In any event, unlike many of our religious leaders today, I think I might just fit in with whatever crowd desperately needs him.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
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