A question I don’t want to ask myself
by Stephen Abraham
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Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? (Luke 12:56)
Read Luke 12:54–59
In Luke 12, the crowds have gathered to hear Jesus’ message. But rather than go easy on them, Jesus goes hard! He confronts their hypocrisy that they follow the local weather patterns – that clouds in the west predict rain blowing in off the Mediterranean Sea, and if south winds blow, there will be scorching heat off the Negev desert – but they completely fail to interpret the significance of the present time – of what is coming and who is speaking to them.
As I picture the scene in my head, I’m so amazed at how blunt and gutsy Jesus is. I’ve spoken at some pretty big school and community events with large crowds. Yet I cannot imagine walking out in front of a large group of people who’ve come to hear me speak and starting off by calling them hypocrites! Man, that is something else!
And now for the kicker, a question I don’t really want to ask: Am I a hypocrite? Am I too comfortable in this life – too absorbed with the temporal to not see the eternal? Am I so focused on my little kingdom that I am oblivious to God’s kingdom? Am I so busy focusing on my practical needs that I’m missing the bigger spiritual picture and the physical and spiritual needs of my neighbours? Am I too comfortable and spiritually lazy? Ouch. Lord Jesus, that’s going to take some time to unpack.
After this verbal barrage, Jesus then shifts to a sobering legal analogy. He warns the hearers to settle matters with their adversary quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise, they will be dragged before the judge, handed over to the officer and thrown into prison until every last penny is paid. Okay, Jesus. I get it! The time to get my spiritual house in order is right now. Time to be honest with you. Time to confess and repent.
Lord Jesus, you know my heart. You know my failings. You know how focused I am on the things of this world – my own creature comforts and trying to make this temporary place ‘heaven’ while I should be focused on ‘actual heaven’. I chicken out on starting faith conversations with my neighbours. I avoid your call to be your envoy at work and at home. I have no excuse. Holy Spirit, turn this heart around. Turn my eyes to you. Forgive me for Jesus’ sake. Renew in me a willing spirit. Set me on the path you have for me. Open my eyes to what is going on spiritually around me today. Make me bold to speak your truth to others. Amen.
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