Opened Minds...

Luke 24:36-49 is the lectionary Gospel text for Sunday, April 18.

Luke has them all doubting, and Jesus calling their bluff in believing vs. proof.  Thomas does not get a bum rep in this account, at least not alone.

The interesting and amusing thing to me is that they believed in ghosts, but perhaps not in Jesus' being raised from the dead to appear to them?  Hmmm.  Like folk believing in UFO's or Bigfoot, but not in medical science during a pandemic?  Like people believing outrageous lies from a liar, and conspiracy theories every day, as well as bigoted statements about others, but not believing that the perpetrators of those things have any ill-intent toward them?

Jesus proclaimed to them that He was written about in the Law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms.  Indeed, Jesus proclaimed all of it fulfilled in Him - His teachings, ministry, death and resurrection.  If they did not have confirmation earlier as to Jesus being Messiah, that should do it - for any who were hearing this read to them or who were reading it in Luke's hand.

"Then Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures."  Their proclamation was to be all about repentance and forgiveness of sins. 

Were they to repent of their corrupt views of God's Word, and its misuse by the church?  Yes

Were they to repent of their marginalization and disenfranchisement of others under empire?  Yes

Were they to repent of their ignorance to what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled?  Certainly

Were they to repent of their lack of Agape Love and Grace for others in the world?  Of course.

Everything that Jesus was about regarding Kingdom of God values and how we live them here and now, in this part of God's Kingdom, was about righting wrongs done in God's name.  

Empire flourished under its false views of deity and humanity, successfully forcing its values of Greed, Hatred, lust for Power and desire for Status on the whole known world.  Jesus addressed that and called God's people to resist it.

The corrupt King had his false views of God and humanity, and successfully kept some power under empire by exploiting who and what he could.

The corrupt Temple Cult Leaders of Jesus' time under empire twisted their view of God and humanity i order to get what they could, to stay in power and gain wealth, enjoy status.  They were successful because they abused and exploited the children of God in God's name.

Empire still flourishes under false views of God and humanity, perpetrated by those in power and with wealth who have gained status, and who exploit and abuse God's children.  Politicians, church leaders and Capitalists benefit from the perversions of God's Word and their control over the people through them.  Whole theologies have been constructed to promote prosperity, personal salvation status and our power in the world, while vilifying those who follow Jesus and resist them as Jesus did.  The soul of the world, the church and individuals in them are at stake once again.

Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures.

Will we, in our encounters with Jesus today, allow our minds to be opened to Jesus' Good News of Agape Love and Grace, in the face of empire values?

Will we be the ones who follow Jesus under this iteration of empire, resist it and transform the world around us with the Kingdom values of Agape Love and Grace?

Will we be the ones who follow Jesus by living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, instead of going along with empire's Greed, Hatred, lust for Power and desire for Status?

Will we be the ones who follow Jesus and show how living in Jesus' Way brings Shalom for all, instead of division, inequity, violence and corruption?

Don't doubt Jesus or Jesus' Way.  It is God's Will.  It is God's better way for us to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.  Living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled in the living of Agape Love and Grace is faithfulness to God.  Period.

Lord, may you again open OUR minds to understand the scriptures, that WE may live YOUR WAY.

Pastor Jamie