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Mark 2:6-8
Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?”

To ponder
Jesus heals but in healing shows us how sick we are. Jesus forgives but in forgiving shows us how sinful we are. Jesus teaches good news but in teaching shows us how much we don’t know. And it can be painful to see and hear these things. - Benjamin J. Dueholm, “Hearing the Truth”

Beyond being nice
Jesus regularly found himself in a position of opposition, which is good news to folks wearied by the simplistic notion that Christians are nice people. That “nice” image can restrict us to the point that all we can do is sit on our hands. We are caring, loving and generous; and caring, loving, generous people don’t go around upsetting other people with their actions! Do you see how this image can bind us and restrict our movement?

We do not follow images of what it is to be Christian, however. We follow Christ, who had no difficulty showing compassion even when others found it offensive, loving all people despite the way that agitated others, being bold and humble all at once. Likewise we are called upon to love in ways that offend - by reaching out to someone who believes differently than we do, protesting injustice, setting a boundary, challenging an assumption, forgiving and enemy. It won’t always feel good, but feeling good is not the aim. The aim is faithfulness, which can be messy.

Prayer
Despised Christ, when it’s called for, give me courage to do the loving thing that’s going to upset the apple cart. Amen.

(from: “A Story to Tell: Devotions for Lent” Bekki Lohrmann, Harvard Stephens Jr., Lydia Posselt, David L. Miller; Augsburg Fortress, 2020)