3/15/2019  1 Comment  (at the bottom of this reflection.)

Today's question:
"Does this offend you?"

From John 6:

Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?

Reflection from Elizabeth Bell 

In this season of deep grief and disappointment as we process the outcome of the Special Called General Conference, this verse seems prophetic about our denomination.  We are confronted with pain at the realization that we can't seem to see the Sacred Worth of all God's people.

The interesting thing about this particular verse is knowing to whom Jesus directed the question.  Not the crowds, not random people.  Jesus directed this question to his disciples, the individuals Jesus has called to be the pioneers of a new movement of faith.  Knowing that gives this verse a deeper challenge to us all.

Does this offend you?

Jesus was a provocateur.  He knew that some of the first disciples would be offended and leave.  I can't help but think that this outcome was not only known by Jesus, but that He was okay with that.

Is this the last Lent that we will gather together as a denomination or will the offense of the vote cause us to divide?  I have been pondering this question for the last three years and I am always given this assurance through the Holy Spirit:  the denominational identity we carry is not our primary identity; we are followers of Jesus and as such, we must always be practicing love: love of those who are like us and those who are not.  We must love those who disagree with us.  Remember Jesus didn't condemn them, but he didn't beg them to stay either. 

As followers of Jesus, we know that when we accept the call to serve God in whatever capacity, we are bound to offend people who want to limit the expectations that come with the command to love God first and your neighbor as yourself.  It doesn’t mean that if they turn away, we get a pass to not love them anymore; rather we must love them even more.  This is not easy and is probably the hardest part of accepting Jesus and his teachings!

So be offensive with love.  Be aware of the heartbreak around you from all parts of the world. But mostly be centered on our God who loves us all with an intensity and consistency that provokes, comforts, challenges and accepts.

Prayer:
God of All:  You call us to consider the provocative ministry of your Son, Jesus.  You give us all love that is boundless and without restriction.  We lament our offenses to one another, but know that you still long for us to keep our hearts centered on the care of those who are in need.  May the offense of the Gospel do more that separate; may it open a dialogue that invites unity and acceptance.  Amen.

Comment​

MaryLouise Shakespeare/Muench
Sat, Mar 16, 2019 at 11:56 am
​Thank you for your calming and helpful thoughts as we ponder the direction given at the Special Called General Conference recently. I appreciate your comparing the situation and the bible verse. 

---

---

To Post A Comment

​Use the form at the bottom of today's reflection.

---

About Today's Author

Elizabeth Bell is a Provisional Elder, serving in the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Her baptism and first relationship with the United Methodist Church occurred at First United Methodist Church of Des Plaines, Illinois.  She is currently serving two churches in West Burlington and Burlington Iowa.

---

More Reflections

Look up all of this year's entries at
Lent On Line Study 2019

Are you subscribed to receive daily Lent emails?

You can join the program here. Just enter your email address.