27 February 2013: servants of the word

27 February 2013: servants of the word

And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue;
let us carefully note his every word.”

How do we receive the Word of God?  Are we open and receptive or are we looking for a loophole?  There is much in the gospel that is hyperbole, but even so aren't we too ready to dismiss it as such?  Aren't we more likely to say something is hyperbolic when it challenges us deeply, saying to ourselves that it can't mean what we think it means?  We need to come to understand how the Word of God and the word of man are different.  We must not try to sit in judgment over the Word of God.  Instead, it has the authority over us.  If we don't recognize this his word will always be twisted by our filters and it will be emptied of it's true power.  Jesus is present in his word.  Let us surrender to him.

Even when we do hear him we don't tend to hear all he is speaking.

Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”

They had just heard Jesus telling them exactly what that chalice entailed and yet they answered without really comprehending what was asked or the gravity of their answer.  The good news was that Jesus didn't dismiss them.  

He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,

Jesus redirects their thoughts from the glory they desired to the true glory of servanthood and the cross.

Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

It is a blessing that even when we struggle with his words he gently calls us back to the plan he has for us.  Every mistake we make can be just another teaching moment to him as long as we don't harden our hearts.  He is willing to start with the question "what do you wish?" He is able to guide us from that question to deeper desire we don't even realize ourselves: to be united with him, even if that means the cross.

Let us stake all our hope on his word to us.  He will then be able to shepherd us unto the pastures of life eternal.

Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.