Show's over

Luke 11:29.32
The crowds got even bigger and Jesus addressed them, ‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’

Jesus cures a man (they're not impressed) they praise his mother (he's not impressed) but he's providing enough entertainment, causing enough controversy to draw a massive crowd. And now, with them in the palm of his hand, does Jesus reassure them of their place as the chosen people, does he unite them against the Romans, does he prove that he is the Messiah they have been waiting for? No, you do well not to even try to second guess the Lord.

He berates them - thank you for coming to see the 'show' but the show's over and your tickets are now void!

They have spent too much time looking for the angle, the trick, the evidence and Jesus has realised they are never going to get it. The show has become a showdown and from now on he changes tack - he will be directly challenging the Temple, the Law, the Sabbath - everything that has stopped people from 'seeing' who he is.

It's an exciting read from now on, and remember we do have the advantage of hindsight, so when we are reading we would do well to consider where we are standing now. What would the the Queen of Sheba say about us?

Are we in the light and grace of a loved and well-lived life or in the shadow of a life hidden behind laws and doubts and excuses.

wordinthehand2008

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