Jesus’ encouraging word for the truth-tellers
by Pastor Matt Bishop
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When John, who was in prison … (Matthew 11:2).
Truth-tellers of God’s word often end up being badly treated. This is despite the sacred office they hold. An early New Testament example is John the Baptist languishing in Herod’s gaol for daring to call out Herod’s sexual promiscuity. He eventually lost his head in the climax of a salacious booze-filled party.
Jesus was impaled with nails on a cross at the hands of the mob. Stephen was stoned for speaking the wisdom the Holy Spirit gave him. During the European Reformations, Brother Henry of Zütphen, a student of Martin Luther’s, was burned at the stake in Meldorf, Germany, for his Reformation teaching. Scottish Lutheran Sir Patrick Hamilton, a former faculty member of St Andrews University in Scotland and famous for his focus on preaching properly distinguished law and gospel, was burned at the stake in 1528. In the 20th century, there was Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s martyrdom at the hands of the Third Reich. Closer to home is the poor treatment that Hermann Sasse, Bonhoeffer’s one-time colleague on the Bethel declaration of 1933, received up to the end of World War II and its aftermath. Sasse eventually took up a position at the then-Immanuel Seminary in North Adelaide, South Australia, in 1949.
In today’s reading, Jesus doesn’t try to address the evident injustice John is facing. He just points to his kingdom work of restoration. ‘The blind receive sight, the lame walk … the good news is proclaimed to the poor’ (verse 5). In times of persecution, this is the truth Jesus will keep pointing us to. It’s the only truth that will stand the test of time. And he adds this beautiful beatitude of promise, ‘Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me’ (verse six), meaning, blessed are the ones who can accept the truth that Jesus’ cross –horrific and counterintuitive as it is – is the means by which we have peace with God and deep, lasting life.
History tells us that we shouldn’t be surprised if the world, governing agencies and even our churches treat God’s truth-tellers poorly. But history also tells us that Jesus has not badly treated us – despite our sins – and has acted to restore all those who walk in his truth.
Gracious God, help us when we suffer for speaking your word of truth. Help us to always speak your truth in love with gentleness, respect, great patience and careful instruction.
Pastor Matt Bishop serves the congregation and primary school at St Paul Lutheran Church Blair Athol, in South Australia, and is chair of the LCANZ General Pastors Conference. He is married to Melissa, delights in his three young adult daughters, and enjoys caring for his five chickens and five budgerigars. He says he would like to spend more time at Venus Bay on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula fishing for King George Whiting, but he loves being both a pastor (mostly) and sharing the gospel with everyone God puts in his path (always).
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