Wednesday 09 January 2008

Background

It seems strange so soon after Christmas to be looking at amoment when Jesus predicts his death. It also seems strange to findthis reading under the title "A light to the nations". It feelsvery dark.

But look closer. There is much light in this passage. In Matthew'sGospel the words in verse 34 are uttered as part of the passion,only a few days before Jesus death (Matthew 23:37).They follow Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees as a brood ofvipers. We could easily get the impression that the Jewish leadersall hated Jesus, but here we see the Pharisees warning him aboutHerod's plan to kill him. Obviously they heard something positivein his message and wanted him to continue preaching it. They try toprotect him from the coming storm.

But Jesus knows that he cannot walk away. He has not reached hisgoal, the mission is not complete, but Jesus' commitment iscomplete. He will not give up even though this journey will end indeath. It is not Jesus who gives up on us; it is us who push himaway. God longs to hold us and love us but we are not willing toaccept this love. Just like a hen and her chicks, God wants toprotect us from harm. It is God's nature to care for the people Godcreated.

The only really dark part of this passage is the desperate plea ofJesus that those who he wishes to protect are unwilling to accepthis offer. There is a deep sadness in this; it is the lament ofunrequited love. Jesus is the light to the nations, but the peopleof the nations choose to remain in the dark.

To Ponder

How willing are you to continue with your journeyof faith when people oppose you?

Are there times in your life when you choose toremain in the dark? Why?

Do you sometimes push love away, or feel thatyour love is rejected?