Devotion - Wednesday, January 9

John 5:1-15 tells of an encounter between Jesus and a lame man.  Jesus tells this man to take up his pallet and walk.  It is a Sabbath.  When the religious leaders seeing him carrying his bed (which was considered "work") they tell him he is a transgressor.  

I have much confidence in religious leaders; I am (sorta) one of them myself.  But sometimes religious leaders allow themselves to get focused on this or that small thing while ignoring the big thing.

The Way of Jesus will surely result in ethical living, but if ethical living were the main thing there would be no need for Jesus.  The incarnation of God in human flesh makes clear that it is not the angles and/or heavenly bodies which garner God's attention - it is those of us who live and breathe and enjoy the marvels of God's world.

God calls on us to enjoy these gifts and God's asks of us to strive for a world in which others are also able to enjoy them.  The Way of Jesus is one in which strife and hatred and fear and exploitation are eradicated.  

You will need to determine which religious leaders you will hear and listen to.  And, you will come to realize that there are conflicting presentations of what truly is the Way of Jesus.  I am a servant of God who daily asks myself if my service is pleasing to God.  I do not find fault with those who follow a differing path.  But God has lead me to speak of a Way which looks to the forsaken and the ignored and preach the Good News.  I know that the Word of God demands that we be active in the struggle to end racism and bigotry and that when Jesus welcomed into his presence the women and men of the city he was expecting us to do the same.

John 5.  Read it for yourself.  Spend some time in prayer and refection.