"When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing." (Luke 13:17 , NIV)
Perhaps this thought struck me as a result of this being toward the end of the election season. I have seen video of crowds roaring approval for candidates that are throwing out promises that they will be unable to fulfill due to the economic reality that there is no free lunch, someone has got to pay. I get the sense that there is a lot of emotion and very little thought which is driving the response of the crowd.
In the same way, I doubt that many understood the implications of what they were seeing when Jesus performed miracles. I assume that some who viewed these events came to faith as a result of the miracles. I also assume that some, hearing the preaching of the Apostles following Pentecost, then understood what they had seen and came to faith. Yet, my guess is that there were others, perhaps a majority, who enjoyed the spectacle of the miracles, and pursued no further reflection as to the implications of what they were seeing.
I am reminded of Paul's words to Timothy:
In the same way, I doubt that many understood the implications of what they were seeing when Jesus performed miracles. I assume that some who viewed these events came to faith as a result of the miracles. I also assume that some, hearing the preaching of the Apostles following Pentecost, then understood what they had seen and came to faith. Yet, my guess is that there were others, perhaps a majority, who enjoyed the spectacle of the miracles, and pursued no further reflection as to the implications of what they were seeing.
I am reminded of Paul's words to Timothy:
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3, NIV)
Too often, we are willingly duped by those who make us promises. We want to believe that our political party has the answers, that the one promising us full bellies and economic security is the one to lead us. We need to look past the spectacle and the promises to see what the implications are.
Jesus made no promises of prosperity or ease in this life. He does promise grace to endure. He does promise to be with us. He promises rewards for obedience. Yet, often His way is the harder one and it is easy to be drawn away.
In all the clamor of this election season, I pray we hear God's voice calling us to repentance which leads to relationship. I pray that we understand that human government cannot fix what is wrong with our society. I pray that we understand that no matter who wins in the elections, God's plan cannot be thwarted and that the Messiah who was rejected some 2000 years ago will indeed reign one day. This election is one event in the process leading up to that culmination.
Jesus made no promises of prosperity or ease in this life. He does promise grace to endure. He does promise to be with us. He promises rewards for obedience. Yet, often His way is the harder one and it is easy to be drawn away.
In all the clamor of this election season, I pray we hear God's voice calling us to repentance which leads to relationship. I pray that we understand that human government cannot fix what is wrong with our society. I pray that we understand that no matter who wins in the elections, God's plan cannot be thwarted and that the Messiah who was rejected some 2000 years ago will indeed reign one day. This election is one event in the process leading up to that culmination.
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