Wednesday, 1st Week of Lent Reading: Luke: 11:29-32
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the son of man will be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here. ‘
Reflection
In this passage Jesus is clearly frustrated and angry with the people because of their unbelief. His mission has been to point the people to God and to reveal something of the compassion of the Father to them. This is clearly demonstrated in the many miracles that he worked; ‘The wedding feast of Cana’ (John 2:1), ‘Raising of the daughter of Jairus,’ (Mark 5:21, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56) ‘Healing of a woman with a haemorrhage,’ (Luke 8:43, Mark 5:25)
The people are blinded by their lack of faith and unbelief and Jesus once again points out to them that there is only one sign; he is the sign of God in their midst. If the people persist in their unbelief they will be condemned to a life outside of the kingdom of God because they have failed to believe in the presence of God in their midst and to repent of their wrongdoing.
During this time of Lent, I am once again challenged to reflect on my belief in God. Do I really believe that Jesus is the Son of God living amongst us this day? Do I allow myself to be challenged to turn away from sin and to turn back to God when I hear the words ‘Return to me with all your heart’ (Joel 2:12) Do I really believe that God has forgiven all my sin and wishes to draw me back to himself because of his great love for me (1 John 1-9)
Prayer
Lord, I thank you for your faithfulness and love;
heal my blindness to your goodness to me.
Help me not to be afraid to repent of all that draws
me away from you or your people. May I be a witness to you each moment of my life.
I ask this in your name o sign of God.Amen.