Did you know it is possible to miss a miracle, even when it
happens right before your eyes? When Jesus performed miracles and spoke
life-changing truths, He often shook His onlookers, who reacted with one of two
distinct reactions: Amazement and Rejoicing, or, Indignation and Resistance.
In Luke 13, we witness this division when Jesus heals a
woman who had been crippled for eighteen years. While the crowd erupts with
praise and glorifies God, the religious leaders respond with outrage. This
striking contrast unveils a profound truth our response to God's work depends
on whether we approach Him with humility or pride. The human heart can either
be open to God's work or closed off by pride and self-righteousness.
Jesus' act of healing brought liberation and joy to the
people, but it rattled the religious leaders, whose rigid traditions
overshadowed the wonder of the miracle. Their fixation on legalistic rules
blinded them to God's miraculous and transformative power unfolding before
their very eyes. This reminds us that clinging to our own perspectives or
traditions can hinder our ability to recognize and embrace the movement of
God's Spirit. As 16th century writer, John Heywood, so aptly noted: "There
are none so blind as those who will not see!"
Jesus came to break spiritual chains and set captives free,
yet those leaders were more committed to rules than to the life-giving love of
God. Today, similar resistance to Jesus teachings persists. Here are some
examples: His declaration that He alone is the way to God conflicts with modern
ideas of pluralism. His call to take up our cross and follow Him challenges a
culture deeply rooted in self-gratification. His teachings on fidelity in
marriage and sexual ethics clash with societal norms of permissiveness and
self-indulgence. His exposure of love for sin unsettles those who prefer
personal autonomy over divine authority. Even His radical call to forgive
enemies can offend those unwilling to extend grace to the undeserving.
When Jesus challenges comfort zones or confronts deeply held
beliefs, the human heart may resist but this resistance only limits the freedom
He offers. What about us? Do we let our expectations or personal agendas stand
in the way of Gods blessings? Or do we choose to celebrate His work,
surrendering pride and opening our hearts to His grace? Let us follow the
crowds example and respond to the movement of God with awe, wonder, and
worship.
May we, like them, rejoice at all the glorious things that He is doing. May God grant you eyes to see His work in our world and in your life, and a heart overflowing with praise as you embrace the freedom and joy found in His Spirit. And may you walk boldly in faith and celebrate His goodness today!
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