[ Today's Readings ]
"You children of Israel, why are you amazed at this,
and why do you look so intently at us
as if we had made him walk by our own power or piety?
We need to constantly give credit where credit is due! We need to tell the world what Jesus does for us and through us when we get the chance. Otherwise the world is all to ready to assume there is some other explanation. Maybe she is just a joyful sort of person, even in hard times? We can't let the world think thoughts like this when we know that it is Jesus that is sustaining us. How much more so in the case of miracles. These are meant not only for those who receive them but also to help those who do not yet believe.
We do not begrudge those who deny Jesus, deny that he is at work in the world, or even deny he performs particular miracles. Often our brothers and sisters act out of ignorance. And sometimes we ourselves fail to believe and act out of ignorance. Being kind in the face of denial can be easier, or sometimes harder if the denial becomes more obstinate and less reasonable. But regardless, they act in ignorance. And we sympathize, knowing that the same ignorance is in us as well. Jesus knows that he will be denied. But he offers himself so that we can one day realize the truth he offers. We in turn continue to offer his truth even in the face of denial.
Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away,
and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment
The LORD wants the world to repent, not because he is mad, but so that he can give us times of refreshment. He wants to pour his risen life into our hearts. Yet we are often still troubled, afraid, and questioning. For our own sake, and for the sake of those who persist in even more obstinate denial, we need Jesus to open our minds to understand his plan.
These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the law of Moses
and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
Once our minds our open we here Jesus say, "You are witnesses of these things", and it is made true.
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
No comments:
Post a Comment