…evitcepsrep tnereffid a morF
I saw a commercial, ironically I don’t remember what it was for, that had a guy who had enough time on his hands to ponder life. He asked himself; “If your shirt is not tucked into your pants, does this mean that your pants are tucked into your shirt?”
Once you get passed the silliness (or profundity) of this statement, you can’t help but think about how perspective can change over time, or with fresh insight.
Take our shirt example: There was a time, and it happened to me several months ago, where you risked being called a slob if your shirt was untucked. Now they sell dress shirts with the purpose of being left untucked.
I am always amazed at how the Gospel story shows us the perspective change necessary to see the Messiah. The people had been told for generations of a Anointed One who would bring deliverance to the Hebrew people. He would come from the house of David, be called a King, and all nations would bow down to him. They were looking for a conqueror who would overthrow the oppressor du jour; for which Rome was it in the 1st Century. Instead, along comes some day rabbi, from of all places Nazareth of the north contry, who was a former day laborer and who’s conception was a town scandal.
One of my favorite stories, and it is told in two parts, is found in the gospel of Mark.
And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.”
Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Mark 8:22-26
Duccio di Buoninsegna
The blind man who was brought to him could not see the Messiah. Yet Jesus touched him and healed him. But the man could not see clearly even though the Messiah was standing right in front of him. So Jesus touches him again, and his eyes are opened!
This is also the story of the Hebrew people. They could not see the Messiah at first. Then they could see someone who was a miracle worker and great teacher. Finally, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, they could see the Messiah clearly! Then they went out to share this with the world.
It has been my experience in ministry that some people desire the Christ, but cannot see him. But they may have friends who bring the blind person to Jesus because Jesus is a good teacher and healer. Some eventually have the full disclosure and see Jesus for more than a wise teacher and miracle worker.
I hope and pray that you have had that full change of perspective in your life. But understand that it is counter-cultural, and somebody might declare you a slob because you don’t conform to what the world values.
From a different perspective…
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