Luke 7: 24-35

In reading this passage the verses that jump out at me this time are verses 29-30. I’m struck by how we through our resistance can allow the “way” of God to pass us by. These Pharisee’s that Jesus talks about missed the life changing opportunity to encounter the living Messiah by their obstinance. These were men of God, given the responsibility of interpreting the Law for the people. They, at least through function, were respectable men desiring to honor God. At times they get a bad reputation and to be fair many times in the New Testament they certainly do miss the mark. But remember Nicodemus (John 3) and Paul (Phil. 3:5) were both Pharisees, demonstrating that God at times promoted them to places of high influence.

So what happened? How did these men miss God’s way when it was right in front of them? Maybe they were too wrapped up in the way they thought things were to be. Maybe they got too absorbed in their own power and influence. Maybe they misread Scripture. We don’t really know, but what we do know is that they “rejected God’s purpose for themselves” (v.30).

Perhaps the most difficult question for us is when are the times that we miss God’s way when it is right in front of us?

God’s Peace,
Pastor Brad

P.S. Welcome Yuri! What is God doing in the Brazilian Methodist Church? Our prayers are with you!