Click here to read Luke 6 on BibleGateway.com
We like to think that we are reasonable people. That we choose to order the quad-pounder burger and extra fries because we are just that hungry, or that we objectively evaluate the evidence and decide that we do in fact need that mustang instead of the mini-van. Unfortunately, experience and history seems to show that we often decide on a course of action, and then look for reasonable reasons to justify it.
C=A+B
Verse 7 of today’s chapter says the Pharisees and teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, and so they watched him for a reason to attack him. Note the order here: they were already angry with Jesus (possibly because he kept telling everyone what weasels they were), then they waited for a reason to justify their anger. They weren’t even waiting for him to be evil; they just wanted him to do good like he always did (heal the suffering), and that would be enough for them to justify themselves.
This can be similar to what happens when we engage with non-believers. Their mind might already be made up, and they are just looking for reasons to doubt. In that situation, it’s very unlikely that anything you say or do will really change their minds. We may hope that all the reasons for faith that we have will be logical enough to convince them, but the truth is they may not be convinced no matter what because they have already decided they do not want to believe.
TRY AND TRY AGAIN…THEN MOVE ON
But does that matter? It seems that sometimes we get too hung up on “saving” one particular person or people group. On several occasions, Jesus said to go and preach to a town, and if they weren’t willing to listen, move on to someone who will. This goes against our nature of perseverance, but it might be that you are not the chosen instrument for God to reach that person. Maybe somebody else will reach them in a way that you can’t, when God has better prepared their heart.
This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try hard with each and every person, and to refine our “witnessing toolbox,” so that we can do our very best to reach as many as possible. But after we have tried out best, it may be time to move on.
People are still looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, and it doesn’t matter how much good he does. The Pharisees were upset that Jesus was disturbing the order of their lives, and their power structure. People are upset at Jesus for the same reasons today, and sometimes that anger may be transferred to you just for doing what’s right. Be encouraged today that it’s not your job to convince everyone; it’s your job to tell everyone. Lay what seeds you can and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
Sound reasonable?
