And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me. Luke 7:23 NABRE
Jesus has become popular, His activities and message well known throughout Judea. John the Baptist announced Jesus as the one but now he sends some of his disciples to ask Jesus if He really is the one they are waiting for, the Messiah. John’s disciples meet Jesus and ask John’s question, are you the one or should they be looking for another? John is not seeing the signs he expects of the Messiah and now has doubt about Him being the Messiah. For the Jews the Messiah who is to come will bring peace, all end to war. The Messiah will make Jerusalem the center of political power and rule. The Messiah will make Judaism the superior religion of the world. The Messiah will establish the Kingdom by conquering all Israel’s enemies and he will rule the entire world. The Messiah will be the most powerful being in the world. None of these signs are evident in Jesus’ coming or teachings. Jesus is a preacher who heals people and makes promises that all will be in the kingdom of God, equal and close to God. No one could connect what Jesus is doing to the prophecies of the Messiah. Today the Jews are still waiting for the Messiah, with expectations of power, freedom and rule. Jesus is concerned with the oppressed, suppressed and the sinner, none of these are mentioned in the prophecies of the Messiah.
Jesus says blessed is the one who takes no offense at me, i.e. blessed are those who recognize my true identity, the one who is to come. The expectations of the Messiah is a projection of power on an anointed one of God. God uses vulnerability and nothingness to achieve love and caring. Jesus the Messiah brings freedom and peace through love. Power brings destruction, love heals.
What kind of Messiah would you expect God to send? Is power important to God?
God uses vulnerability and nothingness to achieve love and caring. Jesus the Messiah brings freedom and peace through love. Power brings destruction, love heals. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #blessed #recognize #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways