By Mike Martine
www.goodshepherdonline.org
Luke 7: 24-33 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. this is the one about whom it is written:
”‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Remember the old poster, “Be patient, God’s not finished with me yet”?
You probably saw it in a classroom somewhere, or in a dentist’s office…right next to the kitten clinging to a tree with the subtitle, “Hang in there!”
(Incidentally, I was never too comfortable with this poster being in my dentist’s office…especially when he was reaching for the drill.)
Anyway, when you read today’s passage you have to wonder-how can those in the kingdom of God be greater than John?
Cause frankly, from what I’ve seen, most of us don’t come close.
It’s simple-God sees us as “finished.”
Human beings have a tendency to make up “stories” about one another. Often, these stories start with some observable “fact.” (”He has trouble with his temper.” “She really likes to drink.” “He’s so shy”…etc.) And then, we take that fact, and other items that we observe, and create a tale for ourselves about the person that explains why they might be the way that they are.
Sometimes, these stories might hit at the truth. But often, they’re pretty judgmental and can limit our ability to clearly see a person for who they are…or, more importantly, who they might become.
In other words, we “trap” the person in our perception of the person. It’s kind of like those older relatives that can’t get past the fact that you’re not a kid anymore, even though your own kids might be teenagers.
God doesn’t do that. God sees us as “finished.”
God sees us at the END of the story. When we are with God in the kingdom. When we have learned what we need to learn. When we have gained the ability to love the way we need to love. When we have learned to understand others the way we need to understand.
God sees us as “finished.” That’s why Jesus can make such a grandiose statement about us.
OK?
Oh, and try this. Try to see yourself, and those around you, a little more like God sees us.
You’ll find it makes everyone, including yourself, a little easier to love. And that it makes life ring with something priceless-truth.
Peace.
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