WATCHWORD:
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” Luke 10:21-24.
Meditation:
Ears, But Did Not Hear
I recently completed a story that, at its core, expands on the parable of the Good Samaritan. I imagined a merchant from Samaria, who travels to markets along the Jordan River, and has been hearing stories of Jesus’ ministry, scoffing at them, discounting them as fables. The merchant is unaware that he is just behind Jesus and His disciples, as they make their way to Jerusalem.
The merchant has been trying to explain away all the stories of Jesus’ ministry in his own mind, and, at one point, he actually witnesses Jesus’ miracle, and struggles to find a solution, an answer to how the “trick” was done. He had eyes but would not see, and he had ears, but refused to understand. In the end the weight of Jesus’ truth, gave him a new perspective, a new life. An awakening to a loving God.
We all go through a kind of awakening in our faith journey. For some, awakening occurs in a gradual transition from a child following their parents’ lead to a point where they realize they have faith unique to themselves. That’s an awakening. For some it’s a sudden born-again experience that leaves a person in a magnificent joyful state of mind.
I have a dear beloved friend who is now with Jesus. He and I had this friendly banter, back and forth, because he claims he had never gone through an awakening or a born-again experience. He and I are both preacher’s kids and he argued that he always had strong faith. For me, I was very comfortable in my Christian living until I came face to face with life, and a colleague exposed my superficial faith with a question. I was angry, how dare he challenge my Christian faith? It was my wife that set me straight: Why are you angry? His challenge to me was the beginning of rebuilding my faith and led to a born-again experience.
Sometimes it’s a turn of phrase. Sometimes it’s a burning question that is asked by a true friend. Sometimes it’s action taken by someone in response to a need; a reaching out, a helping hand, a hug, a smile. Sometimes it could be a seed planted long ago that finally found fertile soil.
Fellow disciples of Christ, we know that making disciples is as simple as placing a spiritual seed, a word, a gentle act near fertile ground. Will you plant that seed today? Will you reach out? Will you make the call? It may be as simple as engaging a friend in exploring how we live as Christians. May we hear what the Lord would have us hear and see what the Lord has placed before us. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
Remember the blessings God has given us. They come to us because He loves us. Our role is to manage those graces and to share them.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, we pray for spiritual hearing and seeing in order that we may act as Jesus would. Help us be aware of those around us with whom we can share You and Your Word. Amen.
