May 7, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Go out, go out through the gates; prepare the way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones; raise a banner for the nations!” (Isaiah 62.10)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

We all have seen it. Driving through the neighborhood on our way to the grocery store or get something to eat or just for a drive, there is mailbox or a sign on which balloons are attached. There may be streamers attached waving in the wind to catch the attention of those passing by. We know, of course, it is a signal to those “in the know” that some kind of celebration, usually a birthday, is happening there. Have you ever thought about stopping and helping to celebrate with them? What? You are not invited? You are not one of those “in the know”? Isn’t it strange that an invitation is posted for some and not for everyone? Think of that meal at the home of Simon the Leper (former leper, mind you). Simon’s intention was two-fold, maybe even threefold: to honor the One who healed him; to expose his religious friends to the One who healed him; and to draw attention to himself that he was healed and no longer ostracized from his community. The invitations were sent out to specific individuals, but it was also no secret what was happening, when and where. Those invited arrived curiously, cautiously and gladly. I mean, after all, it would be a great meal with plenty of food and drink. No one said anyone would have to believe in Jesus to be a part of the party. They would have to believe that Simon was healed or risk the danger of being thrown out of their homes, their communities, the synagogue and the Temple. To believe Simon was healed also meant they would have to give Jesus and His ministry some credence. Then the unexpected happened.

Someone not invited came to the party! I wonder if there will be some of those kind of surprises in Heaven as people for that split second between earth and Heaven recognize someone they just believed would not be there. I wonder if we will know that someone may be thinking that about us! I look forward to being in the fullness of God’s presence and none of those thoughts will endure. Sadly, they endure on earth because we just haven’t gotten with the program of what really matters. We are supposed to be thinking of our lives on earth as if we were focused on the Kingdom of God in Heaven. Wouldn’t that be a game changer?!? Well, in the house of Simon the Leper (yes, I recognize the story is told a bit differently in all four gospels), such thinking happened in a far greater way than anyone had expected. We don’t even get a sense that Jesus was anticipating it either. The same kind of awe and wonder and surprise Jesus experienced when the woman with the issue of blood reached through the crowd and touched Jesus. She didn’t just tap Him on the shoulder. She was on the ground humbly bowing, perhaps she was cowering in fear of being recognized before she could reach the Master or perhaps she was being trampled by the crowd unaware of her distress. Regardless, she touched Him and He was immediately aware of it. He was not only aware of it, He was moved by it and responded to the act of faith which was being demonstrated as no other person was doing in that moment. She would have been seen as unclean and unworthy just as the woman who knelt at Jesus’ feet. She poured out the whole of an offering of self. If it was before the Holy Week encounter, as in John and Luke, it would have been an act of acknowledgment of thanksgiving. If it was during the Holy Week encounter, as in Matthew and Mark, it was an acknowledgment of glorifying.

In any case, whether it was Isaiah’s declaration to “make way for the world to approach the coming King and Messiah” or it was the woman who blessed Jesus as an act of faith and thus put all eyes on Him as King and Messiah the message is consistent. The purpose of the believer is to make it possible for others to know the truth which brings salvation into their world. Such acts of faith raise the banner of recognition and the bar of expectation. John the Baptizer did this himself as he preached in the wilderness and in Jerusalem confronting the powers that be. Those powers were political, a false king, and religious, the Temple leadership. Either power was not concerned with authentic righteousness nor the restoration of Jerusalem as the focal point from which the “good news” would go forth into all the world so true disciples would be born into the Kingdom of God on earth with live that was already in Heaven. This is what Jesus countered with in His ministry and taught His disciples to do as their true priority. It is what we, as Jesus’ disciples, should be doing now in our own world. It is what we are commissioned to do even at the risk of our own lives and welfare. To die is to gain! What does it profit a person to gain the whole world but forfeit their soul?

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness which we know is folly but righteous works which declare Your glory and further witness the truth that can set all who believe free from death. So may we live by the name of Jesus our Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.