Reflecting on Luke 7:18-23
"Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." (Luke 7:23)John wants to be sure that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
At first he had been sure that Jesus was the Lamb of God (John 1:36).
But now he is in prison, and God’s kingdom doesn’t seem to be coming.
Perhaps he is second-guessing his confidence in Jesus.
Even Jesus’s own disciples were wondering about Jesus.
They say the signs, but where was the revolution against Rome?
Jesus seemed to be more interested in showing compassion.
This was fine, but it was not going to overcome the power of Rome.
In the end, Jesus’s approach was too much for Judas.
He stumbled over the way Jesus acted as Messiah.
Healing and helping people, even raising the dead, was not enough.
They wanted the great Davidic kingdom restored… now!
Jesus does not change for their expectations.
He points to His compassion as proof of His messianic identity.
He is quoting the prophet Isaiah:
“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” (Isaiah 35:3-6)
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)
The people had misunderstood God’s vengeance and retribution.
They expected judgment, not mercy.
For this reason, many would stumble because of Jesus.
Many today would prefer a more aggressive, nationalistic Jesus.
They want a John Wayne Jesus, someone who is tough (on others).
Someone who feels the same way about certain others as they do.
Jesus defies expectations then and now.
As Jesus followers, we should take our cue from Jesus.
Our mission is the same as Jesus’s mission.
We are not setting up a political kingdom.
We are not making our nation great again.
We are joining Jesus’s on our knees, serving humbly as He served.
We love and serve the weak, the outcast, the marginalized.
We show mercy to the guilty, and patience for the difficult.
We do not overcome evil with evil, but with good.
Contrary to human understanding, goodness can overcome evil.
The movement of Jesus followers eventually displaced Rome.
Rome lived by the sword, and died by the sword.
If we live by grace and mercy, we will overcome with grace and mercy.
The world may crucify such weakness, but God will raise it up.
I am comforted, convicted and compelled by Jesus’s message.
It does not come naturally to me, nor is it easy to love like this.
There are certain people I do not want to love and serve and help.
But they need God’s retribution (mercy) too.
Today more than ever we need to join Jesus in His compassion ministry.
Even if it seems weak, and doesn’t seem a match for evil, it is!
Do we hesitate to follow this path of humble, gracious love?
Are we stumbling on Jesus and His message, His way?
The same Spirit of the Lord is on me, for the same purpose.
Am I stepping into this calling?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Your message seems so weak, and yet it is stronger than we can imagine. It is the leaven in the lump, microscopic yet mighty, changing everything. Help me to step up, and not stumble, on Your mission of mercy and love!