Week 48—Wednesday Luke 19:41-44
Luke 19:41-44
Week 48—WEDNESDAY
FROM WOES TO WEEPING
A prominent philosopher, who, in his book, has brought up these “woes” pronounced on the Pharisees as a sign that Jesus was not sinless, stood in Kalighat where priests sacrificed goats to Kali, the bloodthirsty goddess, cutting off the goats’ heads with a single blow. He stood watching the bloody spectacle and said, “Why do you take the blood of these goats? Why don’t you take my blood?” This innocuous remark did not cause the slightest ripple on the surface of a corrupt custom, unworthy of India. It left things as they were. But Jesus’ words cost him his life, and he knew they would. They put him on a cross. Jesus wept over Jerusalem after uttering these words: “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not!” (Matt. 23:37). His woes turned to weeping. Therefore his words were redemptive—the most brave and redemptive words ever uttered.
Another objection. He said to the Canaanite woman, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matt. 15:26). This sounds harsh, but look at the setting and the ending. The setting: “His disciples came and begged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she is crying after us.’” Evidently they used the usual word “Gentile dog” in referring to the Canaanite woman. Then Jesus took their word and used it of the woman. He must have done it as a gentle rebuke to them, for it was shocking to hear him use it. His look at them conveyed his meaning. And his look at the woman conveyed his encouraging love, for she saw hope in his words. That was the setting. Here was the ending: “‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly” (vs. 28). Could stinging racialism bring that result? That fruit could only come from the root of redemptive love—a love that rebuked his disciples and encouraged the woman.
O Jesus, how could racialism be in you, you Son of Man? How could it be said, “In Christ . . . there is neither Jew nor Greek”? We are in you “the desire of the nations,” friend of the outcast and the redeemer of thieves. We worship you. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Racialism in the Son of Man? Rather I smite my breast and say, “No, in me!”