Friday 01 September 2023

Psalm 112

Background

So having devoted the first half of this chapter to talking about himself as 'the true vine' and telling his disciples to love one another – Jesus now turns his attention to hate. Still very much in valedictory mode, Jesus continues to warn his disciples about what will happen to them after he has gone.

 At the heart of the matter is the fact that the world has turned its back on God – that is why Jesus came in the first place and because of his intimate relationship with God he himself has also been rejected. This can come as no surprise to him since, being so familiar with his scriptures, he knew very well that being a prophet led to a dangerous life and an early death. It certainly wasn’t going to win you popularity.

It often surprises me when we worry about declining numbers and empty pews. Of course, it’s nice to have a full church, but popularity was never in Jesus’ manifesto. Speaking truth to power and holding authorities to account is not going to win you friends and give you an easy life. So, Jesus now warns his disciples and all those who follow him that they can expect the same if they are to be obedient to his commands.

He also spells out just how bad 'the world' has been. If the disciples had been left in ignorance maybe there would be some excuse, but because Jesus has told them and shown them the purpose of his mission – and they have seen and heard what he did and said – they really have no excuse not to understand, follow and commit their lives to him. Neither do we!

To Ponder:

• Do you think Christianity should be popular?
• If Jesus was a politician today what would his key manifesto pledges?