Readings: Genesis 3:9-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35
I don’t doubt for a minute, and I am not at all surprised that Jesus’ detractors judged him insane or possessed. Even his own family and friends may have questioned his mental state, or at least worried about the retribution he would bring down on his community, given his radical message. Sadly, their fears and concerns are well-founded. Interestingly he did not stir up crowds to ferment insurrection or war. Instead, he prophesied in his Father’s name the advent of a new Kingdom, a commonwealth of love and justice, where we are to forgive and to love others, even our enemies.
In First Century Palestine the vision of a world based on love and justice was an insane prophecy given Roman occupation from without and the self-serving complicity of their own religious leaders from within. This prophecy is treated with the same disdain today and its prophets are looked at as insane and treated with indifference. People have told me that Jesus’ message is not practical today, in the modern world with nuclear threats, regional wars, terrorism, and mistrust between former allies. As a retired Air Force officer I am as aware of the dangers we face, as I am the futility of our human attempts at peace through force of arms.
If it is peace we desire then we need to move away from taking sides in conflicts or taking positions of pro and con, and instead, we need to follow this “insane” itinerate prophet. If we believe Him to be the Son of God as we profess, then we need to take seriously His message – to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to love as we have been loved. This is doing the good that is asked of Christians but doesn’t be surprised with a less than positive response. Remember that Jesus promised we would be insulted and persecuted and have every kind of evil accusation leveled against us. If we are treated in this way we should “rejoice and be glad, for our reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before us.” (Cf Matthew 5:11-12)
And when the accusations and persecutions arise (and they will arise) to follow the example of the Son and say “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) That is to say, “Father, they are not in their right minds.” This is not a condemnation, but understanding and forgiveness. To return love for hate is the only way to break the cycle of violence. This is the message of the cross and the meaning that can come out of suffering, suffering without retribution or the need to punish. Does this sound like insanity? Would you rather wisdom?
“Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
(1 Corinthians 1:22-25)
So, is Jesus out of his mind? I say, “Yes he is out of his mind, but he is not insane. He is not in his mind, but rather he is operating out of his heart – his sacred, forgiving, and loving heart. And so as Christians we too need to live from our hearts and not out of our calculating minds. We may appear to be weak and foolish by the world’s standards, but we will be strong and wise in the eyes of God.
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