What Must Jesus Think? (10/24/2023)

Last evening at bible study, as we poured over the texts of the Prophet Isaiah, and discussed the wars of that period, we ended up speaking about the current war in the Middle East. I shared that I understood the need to stand up to hate when it involved the eradication of a whole people. But as we continued to speak, another raised the hope for a pathway to peace that did not involve the suffering of innocents. And at the end of our time together, as we gathered in a circle to pray especially for those whom we knew were in need, the prayer was raised for a loving pathway to peace.

I spent a great deal of time reflecting on that conversation afterwards. The hatred in our world must end. But how do we accomplish that? I spoke to my LORD and the image of Him on the cross burned in my mind. He did not give His life for some of us but for all of us. He has no favorites. And my mind landed on his parable of the Good Samaritan who had not only eyes to see but a righteous heart that was able to suffer with another regardless of race or status. The Samaritan treated the injured man of Judah as he himself would hope to be treated if the same befell him. As I sat with that, I wondered what Jesus, who sowed peace and loving unity, must think of us now.

Then I thought of this past Sunday’s readings and Jesus’ message in the Gospel: “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” We bear the image and likeness of our LORD; we are created thus. How can we regain the ability to see one another as we are – as daughters and sons of the living LORD? How can we stir up the embers of love within the hearts of everyone to burn away the hatred and purify our hearts and minds created in love to love? The LORD longs to help us with that if we will turn back, return, set down division, and open ourselves anew to loving unity.

Last evening and this morning, my prayer for me and for our world is that we find ourselves through the power of the Spirit and realize who we are, who we are created to be. My prayer is also that Christ who promises to be with us always, to remain in us, will illuminate our minds and hearts on our journey so that we might have eyes to really see the other and recognize the other as one Christ loves and one Christ died to save. Perhaps, when we can see that, we can detect the illusive pathway to peace with one another and to union with our all-loving and ever-present LORD.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.