19 July 2014 - never beyond hope

19 July 2014 - never beyond hope

but he warned them not to make him known.

People follow Jesus and he cures them all.  But he doesn't use this to get in the face of the Pharisees who are now plotting his death.  He could make his identity inescapably obvious but he does the opposite and withdraws from the place where they are.

He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,

But, we think, there are people who aren't listening.  Why won't he speak up?  The Pharisees plot against him.  They "plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches;  In the morning light they accomplish it when it lies within their power."  Surely it'd be better to snap reeds that have been so bruised by the enemy as that.  They are almost broken anyway.  Surely it'd be better to extinguish the wicks that smolder with such iniquity.

Yet he brings "justice to victory" and he does so without force.  His gentleness is a sharper weapon than those of his enemies.  And thank goodness.  We aren't always on the side of justice ourselves.  We ourselves sometimes "covet fields" and even take them.  Sometimes we greedily assert ourselves over others, depriving them of what they rightly deserve.  At one time all of us "were enemies" of God (cf. Rom. 5:10).  Thank goodness he is willing to endure this.  He is willing to wait in mercy, to even endure our hatred, if it means saving some of us.  We ought not be "unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance" (cf. Rom. 2:4).

We have to remember this when we experience suffering ourselves.  We have to remember it when we see it in the world.  God is waiting patiently, not striking down the unjust, because he desires mercy for all.  He wants all to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4) and he is able to make everything, even the pain of the world, work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (cf. Rom. 8:28).  Indeed, suffering can even be cause to rejoice (cf. Col. 1:24, Rom 5:3, and 1 Pet 4:13) when we realize that we are not forgotten, that he is using all the pain of the world to bring his kingdom.  When we realize that this misery and sorrow is held in the gentle hand of a merciful God we are able to depend on him in spite of suffering.

You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow,
taking them in your hands.
On you the unfortunate man depends;
of the fatherless you are the helper.

Jesus is God's chosen one, his beloved in whom he delights.  He is anointed with the Holy Spirit. Yes, he is gentle.  But the victory of justice is inexorable.  The cross eventually reveals the resurrection. Let us hope in his name now, while he waits in patience, knowing that he longs for each one of us.  And let us not give up on anyone, no matter how bruised they seem.  No one is beyond hope!