Nougat 28

We’ve covered the hypochondriac life and the implications for our faith yesterday, and in today’s Holy Nougat, I invite us to reflect on what prompted Jesus’ comment.

“But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This Matthean version of Jesus’ comment on health and wellness is one of the many altercations with the theologians of His day. They challenged Him on all fronts – His theology, His theological training (or lack thereof), His company of associates, His eating and drinking partners, His views on adultery, marriage, death and resurrection … and even other things that didn’t make it into the Gospels.

Our reflection is on two fronts and both are serious chews. Firstly, we can think about the (armchair) theologians who dared to question Jesus’ divinity – ie they wondered whether He was truly the Son of God, and more so, The Promised Messiah, Emmanuel.

On the whole, those of us who are firm believers can’t grasp the theologians’ consternation. After all, we see the proof, and we are convinced, ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ that Jesus, Y’shua, Emmanuel, the Christ, is the living incarnation of God in the flesh. We even tend to speak of Him in present tense, knowing that, though in Heaven, Jesus is still very much here with us in our present circumstances – and we are correct. But we ought to bear in mind, that they knew Him as a child; or perhaps more critically, they didn’t know Him, for His tutelage might not have been the Ivy League’s of His time. And therein lies the truth and the challenge. They, the theologians of the day didn’t know Jesus, and His work and words challenged the very foundation of what they knew and lived. His very existence threatened their values and their existence!

They felt justified in proving (more like disproving) Jesus identity. In their view, Jesus was a charlatan, ie a fake prophet. Don’t we think they were wrong to defend the people He was trying to trick, while securing their own positions?

Hmm. I wonder how we feel about the charlatans of our time? Or those believers who are clearly misled? Those whose spirituality contradict our own? Are we equally as scathing, questioning their worthiness to represent Christ? (I know I do/did). May we recall Jesus’ own words in Matthew 13:30, ’let the wheat and the tares grow together’, in addition to His response cited in the Nougat. Perhaps it’s time to let the main thing be the main thing – preaching, teaching and baptizing; and leaving the judging to Jesus.

The other point will be covered tomorrow, God’s willing.

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May all we seek be found in Christ