Upset with Jesus?
by Pastor Peter Bean
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The people were upset with Jesus (Matthew 13:57a).
Read Matthew 13:53–58
Do you ever get upset with Jesus? Or have you experienced challenging times – perhaps even had your world turned upside down at some stage and even called out with the psalmists, ‘Where are you, God? How long, O Lord?’
I imagine we all have been in one of these situations and expressed our thoughts and concerns (in prayer?). Why were the people upset? Why do we have challenging times?
Just like with his listeners in Matthew, where he challenges their lifestyle and, in some cases, turns it upside down, Jesus also challenges our lifestyle. Perhaps he turns your world upside down – this may be in good and not-so-good ways!
Who is this man? That’s the question behind verses 54 to 56. Who is this man? An ordinary bloke! A carpenter’s son! But amazingly, and challengingly, much more. He is the Christ (as Simon Peter so eloquently put it). He is from another world but firmly planted in our world.
He upsets people because he talks in parables (see yesterday’s devotion); he is okay with mystery (see Sunday’s devotion). Both of these rub against the grain of our rational life. Who is this man? How dare he?
And yet … and yet, beyond the mystery, beyond the parables, beyond the upset, Jesus the Christ is the epitome of grace and compassion. Yes, he upsets us, because he has done the hard work. Grace is ours as a gift. We simply have to accept Jesus as the prophet (verse 57) and allow his love to flow into our lives.
Upset with Jesus? If so, admit it. Take it to Jesus the Christ (he can handle it). Jesus will restore you, allow you to begin again, and grant new life.
No wonder he upsets people. No politician, president or premier can offer and achieve what Jesus has. Acceptance and love, grace and forgiveness.
Jesus the Christ, challenge me. Turn my world upside down if necessary. Upset me again and again until I fall on my knees and accept your love and compassion. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
In the early months of the year, Peter is often out in the garden, watering, picking, pruning – chasing the birds away from his fruit! Or he could be indoors stewing, drying and preserving. Peter also enjoys walking the dog, riding his bike, reading and spending time with his family. To keep himself out of mischief, he is teaching himself piano and writing a paraphrase of each psalm – he is now up to Psalm 80.
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