Jacob, Jacob, Jacob. And Rebekah? These are our biblical heroes? Yes, yes they are. Difficult isn't it? They are so human. God uses broken and imperfect people to carry out God's mission. On our worst days, let's remember that. This story of Jacob and Esau is one of the many times in the Old Testament when we are shown that God's ways are not the ways of the world. The customs of this culture is that the older is granted the authority, power, and possessions---the blessings of the father. In this story, the older shall serve the younger---a reversal of the world's ways.
Matthew 9 reads like a "Great Hits of Jesus" list. Miracle after miracle. What truths can we take home from this list of wonders? Jesus forgives; Jesus heals; Jesus includes the marginalized and outcast; Jesus restores us back to life; Jesus restores our sight and vision; Jesus casts out our demons; Jesus has compassion.
Other truths we should not miss: When we choose to live in a new way---the way of Jesus--- we will have to change the rules we live by. "Neither is new wine put into old wineskins;" (9:17). God's mission and plan for restoration includes using our gifts, our talents, our efforts: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laboreres are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (9:37).
"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you."
(Psalm 9:9-10) AMEN!
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you"; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this."
ReplyDeleteWhy does he say, "See that no one knows about this."?
ReplyDeleteMost scholars identify this as part of the Markan secret. Mark was the first gospel written, and Matthew uses Mark's gospel as his main source. There is more than one theory on why Jesus at times tells people not to tell about his power or their healing. Probably the main theory is Jesus deciding that people weren't ready yet to accept him as Messiah; or that Jesus wasn't ready yet to be accepted as the Messiah. After all, look at what happens when they begin to declare him as Messiah and that spreads around. Jesus' ministry comes to a screeching halt with the crucifix (well, it seems to come to a screeching halt...but it doesn't end there at all, does it?) Just like in our lives, timing can be everything.
ReplyDelete