Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Jan 11 2020 - Luke 5:29-6:11 – They watched him closely

By his words and actions, Jesus had provoked the opposition of the Pharisees. He had claimed to have authority to forgive sins. He associated with tax collectors and sinners and seemed to prefer feasting with them than fasting with pious Jews. He did not seem to show a proper respect for the Sabbath and its stifling restrictions. So, on one Sabbath day, when Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, the Pharisees and teachers of the law "watched him closely" (Luke 6:7). They kept a careful eye on him, not to marvel in all that he was doing but to look for some fault for which they might condemn him. In the synagogue there was a man whose hand was withered and useless. These critics kept a close eye on Jesus to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath day.

And, of course, their expectations were not disappointed. Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand. He did so and his hand was completely restored. But before he healed the man he asked his critics a question, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9).

For all their careful attention, the Pharisees and teachers of the law could see only one thing; here was a man who broke the law by doing work on the Sabbath. They could not see a man remarkably healed from a long-standing affliction. Instead of rejoicing with the man who was healed, they were filled with rage at Jesus’ words and actions (6:11). Instead of seeing Jesus as the author of life, they were intent on putting him to death. For all their close watching, they remained blind.

I remember some time ago being asked to watch a short film clip. It was a clip of a basketball match and, before being shown it we were asked to count how many times the ball was passed. When the clip was over, we were asked whether we noticed anything else. On being shown it again we saw a man in a gorilla outfit walking behind the players. We had not noticed him on first showing because we were focussed entirely on the ball. We are not good at seeing the bigger picture when we are focussed in on the one thing we really want to see.

It’s frustrating sometimes when we try to talk to others about Jesus and they just can’t see what we see in him. But it must be equally frustrating for others if there are times when we are so intent on getting our message across that we do not really ‘see’ the person we are talking to in all their complexity of concerns. Narrow views lead to narrow minds – and Christians are not immune from this affliction.

What do we see in Jesus? One of the things I see in Jesus is someone who saw people as they really were and who dealt with each one according to their particular circumstances and need. He calls us also to widen our vision and to see beyond the narrow confines of our limited understanding. He calls us to see with his eyes and respond with his compassion and concern. He calls us to celebrate with those who have found new life in him, to mourn with those who are feeling broken and sad and to challenge those who would come to quick judgments about others.

Lord Jesus, continue that work you have begun in me – the work of making me like you. Keep me from narrow minded judgments this day. May the new wine of your kingdom – the heady wine of your presence and resurrection life – burst all that remains of the old wineskin and flow out to the refreshing of others.

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Jan 11 2019 - Genesis 8:13-9:17 – A New beginning

Noah's first act when he and the animals were safe on dry ground was to build an altar and present burnt offerings to the Lord. The smoke of the burnt offering ascended to the Lord and he was pleased. God said, "Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." (8:21-22). God recognises that nothing has changed; the human heart is still inclined towards rebellion and evil. Nevertheless God promises that he will never again destroy every living thing; there is an atoning sacrifice by which the world is saved from judgment.

In response to this sacrifice, God renews his covenant promise saying, "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you – the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you – every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." (9:9-11).

Throughout this section we are continually reminded that humankind, made in the image of God, remains very much part of the created order. The animal creation is condemned to judgment along with humankind and is saved along with humankind. God's promise of mercy encompasses trees and fields and the changing seasons. God's covenant is made not only with Noah but with every living creature.

When we read that God loves the world and is intent upon its salvation we really must not narrow down his love to the 'salvation of the soul'. God loves every part of the world that he has made.

Having renewed his covenant promise to Noah, God declared, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." (9:12-16).

Here is another detail that for years I had failed to notice. I always thought that the rainbow was designated by God as a sign of his covenant to remind us of his promise. But that is not what God says. Twice he declares that it is a reminder to him of his covenant promise. God remembers not in the sense that he is in danger of forgetting but rather in that he acts to fulfil his covenant promise and to save his people. Dare we suggest that New Testament signs of the covenant, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, are not only reminders for us of all that God has done for us in Christ and promised us in him, they are means through which God himself remembers his covenant?

Faithful God, thank you that you continually remember your covenant promises and act to save your people. More than that, we thank you that in Jesus Christ you purpose to save the world and to bring all creation under his dominion. Gladly we bring you our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and we pledge ourselves afresh to your great project of making all things new.

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Peter Misselbrook