August 26 Do You See You?

Luke 22:63-65 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.
 
ONE reason conflict rages within the human race is self-righteousness. We are eager to hold fast to our beliefs. Anyone who acts outside of our approval seems to suddenly become an “enemy”. Our tendency too often is to condemn, criticize and even actively seek to silence people with whom we disagree. Is there a better way?
    Perhaps we can find a better way as we examine our view of the mocking guards. How dare they mock the Lord! Easily we see these soldiers outside of our beliefs. We would never mock the Lord, especially when we would have witnessed his miraculous power.
    Or would we? Do we? I know I am too often prone to mock God’s faithfulness. Today I proclaim his miracles. But what happens tomorrow? What do I say when he is silent to my pleas? Am I so quick to forget the miracles he has delivered to me throughout my life – especially the miracle of salvation? Does my mind forget why he stood in silence that dark morning? When the Lord is silent, do I mock him with impatience and unbelief for what he’s not doing? Or is my heart willing to trust even, “Wait.” and “No.” from the Lord?
    Yes, we can look at the guards through self-righteous eyes. “What’s wrong with them? Couldn’t they see Jesus’ power? Why are they so cruel to mock him? I hope they get what they deserve.” Or we can stop to first look at our own lives through God’s righteous eyes. What does he see in us?
    Remember Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:4-5 “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” Our Lord sees us as sinners in need of him. How different our world would be if we agreed with him.
    Yes, we must correct and condemn sin. Clearly the guards sinned against Jesus. But let’s more quickly examine our own lives in light of Jesus’ life-transforming teachings and his soul-transforming suffering. Do not self-righteously dwell on, “I am right.” “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33a) Perhaps you will discover some way you are mocking your Lord. Or maybe you will see how you mock others.  
    Self-righteousness breeds contempt and division. We must be careful how we think, understanding we have much to learn. The guards were sinners in need of repentance. Their souls were in danger of eternal destruction. We see people everyday who need Jesus as much as they did, even when we look in the mirror.
   
Prayer: Lord God, open my mind to understand my need for your righteousness. Help me to put away self-thinking, so I will love you and love my neighbors – even my enemies. Amen.