Mark 8:33
Interventions
have become popular entertainment these days. You know the routine. The person
has failed rehab repeatedly. The family has lost all patience with the patient.
They call in the experts and they organize a meeting. They each rehearse what
they will say to that person when they are face to face. The moment arrives and
the whole group is gathered and the errant person walks in and is taken by
surprise. They are told the hard truth about what their addiction has taken
from the family. There is a demand for reform. And then the ultimatum: if you
don’t quit, we will have nothing to do with you. No money, no help. You are on
your own. Then the person heads off to rehab.
I
think the hardest thing to hear is the truth about our faults from someone who
is close to us or whose opinion we highly value. When truth comes from a source
that close to us, it has a unique sting. We often feel betrayed. How could they
do that to us? How could they let the cat out of the bag? How dare they focus
on me! There are a few things others don’t know about them that I am tempted to
throw in their face. And maybe I will.
Jesus
saves one of His sharpest rebukes for the disciple closest to Him, Peter. Peter
has kept his focus on earthly things, like bread and fish. He has gotten caught
up in the teaching of the Pharisees and Herodians. He has his eye on earthly
political solutions. And because of that focus, Peter is missing out on the
fullness of what Jesus is trying to tell them.
Yes,
Jesus is going to suffer, but the suffering is not the end of the story. Yes,
He is going to die, but death is not the end of the story. He is going to leave
the grave alive, unstoppable, back to His place as Ruler of the Universe. Peter,
pay attention!
Jesus
called other folks white-washed tombs, snakes, deceivers, poison-peddlers, and
evil. But Peter gets called Satan. Ouch! You’re just like your mother, father, mother-in-law,
father-in-law, “W” supporter, “O” supporter, Tea Partier, Socialist, Flat-Earther,
Global-Warmer, big oil, 99%, Wall Streeter.
The list of names and labels that get thrown around today keeps growing.
So
why are labels so important? They devalue the person being labeled. Period.
They eliminate the need to have an intelligent discussion about the issues. Who
would want to talk to a simpleton like that.!. They believe the Bible. No
intelligent person believes the Bible these days. (This is what they are
saying, so don’t be surprised if you hear it said to your face one of these
days.)
The
problem is that many extremely intelligent people believe the Scriptures, many
with PhD’s. But they don’t get interviewed by the press without the discounting
sneer and comment. It goes something like this. “There are still some people
who hold onto beliefs despite all the evidence. We have here Dr __________. Let’s
hear what he has to say.”
I
hope I don’t end up on the wrong side of Jesus’ comments. I want to hear, “Well
done.”