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Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Think Again
"What do you think?"
Twice in one short conversation Jesus asked that question. To the religious leaders in the Temple. (See Matthew 21:23-32)
On one hand, he complimented them. Affirming their intelligence, their biblical literacy, their thoughtfulness.
On the other hand, he put them on the spot. Right out there for anyone to see and hear, he challenged their big question with his own questions. Just like a rabbi!
They had asked, "Who do you think you are? Who gave you authority over us?"
You see, he'd entered the Holy City and the Holy Temple with a wholly new spiritual agenda. And he'd made no bones about letting everybody know it.
Now he asked them:
1. "What do you make of John the Baptist? From God, or on an ego trip?"
2. "Two sons answer their father's request for help. No. 1: 'No way.' But he changes his mind and does the job. No. 2: 'Yes, sir!' But he never follows through. Which one did what his father wanted?"
Their answers:
1. "Um, we don't know." [Meaning: Hmmm. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. John's too popular for us to risk a wrong answer.]
2. "Duh. The one who did it."
And now Jesus makes it all about John the Baptist again.
John had called everybody to turn back to God from their careless ways (and sometimes intentional bad stuff). Thousands of people did just that -- including the lowlifes who would never feel comfortable in a worship service. They were especially grateful for another chance. Meanwhile, the righteous comfortably ignored ol' crazy John.
Put John and Jesus together, you get a double whammy attack on the status quo.
Woe to the church or the believer who says, "We never did it that way before." And double woe to those who talk the talk but never get around to walking the walk.
The Apostle Anne Lamott has said, Your main job in life is simply to Show Up And Tell The Truth. Everything else works itself out from there.
_________
P.S.
Q: How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Change? Change?!?
[Voice from the back: My grandmother gave that bulb to this church!!!]
posted by Jack Buckley at
9:57 AM
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