October 16, 2016 Rewind

Point of View matters! When you or I approach anything we come from different points of view. Unfortunately, because we can only see from one perspective at a time we often miss out on the significant aspects of everyday life.

This week we saw how Jesus got it wrong while we examed Mark 2.1-22. At least that was the Pharisee’s point of view. As they stood in judgment over Jesus, looking down their noses, and making accusations, they missed the real story.

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”… [16] And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”… Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mark 2:6-7, 16, & 18 ESV)

They saw a man who spoke the wrong words, hung out with the wrong people, and did things the wrong way. But what they missed was the long awaited Savior who came to address our deepest need, the forgiveness of sins. They also neglected to see his grace, being willing to live with sinners like you and me. In putting themselves on a pedestal in their minds, they missed out on the gift of Christ’s presence. Finally they failed to see the joy of true religion, instead opting to dwell in sadness with downcast faces.

The challenge then is to see our tendencies to miss out on the real Jesus. You see, we too often put Christ into our boxes. Rather than allowing him to reveal is overwhelming nature which pushes beyond our boxes and leaves us in awe.

Will you be willing to meditate on what it means for Christ to forgive us our sins? Will you be ready to ponder what it means for the one who upholds the universe by the power of his words to dwell with you and me? Will you consider the joy of having him with us in each mundane moment of our lives? If you will, then your heart will overflow in worship, rather than judgment.