The right words can escape us.
How often I have looked back on a conversation or situation and thought, "what I should have said was..." or "why didn't I think of that?" When I read the gospel accounts, however, I am always in awe of the One who never seems to have that problem. Whether it be a matter of dispute or despair, Jesus always knows what to say. As we might expect, the Word has a way with words.
Although no less amazing, a closer reading of scripture gives us great clues as to the preferred source material of Jesus' wisdom and witness. For instance, when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he refuted his adversary with a word from Deuteronomy 8. When agonizing under the weight of sin on the cross, the word of lament was from Psalm 22. These are just two examples (which are particularly relevant for this Holy Week).
The reading for Tuesday of this week provide further nourishment for our contemplative imaginations (p. 210). In case Jesus was not sure how to prayerfully articulate that which was unfolding before him, the words are right there: my enemies are talking against me, and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together. They say, "God has forsaken him. Go after him and seize him..." ( Psalm71:10-11).
And yet, in spite of the conceivably grim prospect of the cross, God has already provided a word of appropriate assurance and direction for Jesus through the mouth of his prophet some generations earlier: You are my servant...in whom I will be glorified...I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Isaiah 49:3,6).
Though this is the commission for all God's people, it takes Jesus to come and show us how it is to be done. For those who would doubt, this is the week that we are faced with the reality that Jesus is more than just a smooth talker; indeed he is a doer as well, in a manner we rarely considered, both then and now.
How right is this Word, to raise up, restore, and to redeem!
Why didn't I think of that? Oh, good point. Now I remember....
Sin-sick and Tongue-tied,
Darren
Welcome to the conversation! For as long as our own discipline will allow, I hope to use this resource as a forum for prayer and reflection for the community of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church. We'll be working through Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals as our daily devotional guide. Since we're beginning the journey on Ash Wednesday, the hope is that this will be an additional venue for us to pray together throughout this holy season.
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