Third Wednesday in Advent

Isaiah 45:5-8(9-17)18-25; Psalm 85:8-13; Luke 7:19-23

Today we read Luke’s version of last Sunday’s Gospel.  As always with Scripture, there are lots of things to notice and questions to ask.   Today I want to think about the last sentence: “And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

You might wonder, who could take offense at people being healed, the dead raised, the poor receiving good news?  Actually, many people, for many reasons.  We have the stories of the Pharisees who, while applauding good works, wanted them kept within the guidelines for Sabbath (no work, not even good work, allowed).  I can imagine being “offended” at the dead being raised: terrified, in fact.  And yes, I can imagine many wealthy people being profoundly threatened by the poor receiving hope.  We’ve seen it in Latin America, where missionaries and local pastors lost their lives to government-backed death squads.  But those are the easy cases.

The phrase “takes no offense” literally means “is not scandalized,” does not stumble because of me.  Why would Jesus’ actions cause people to stumble?  

If you expect the Messiah to rain down hellfire on those you hate and judge, Jesus is a scandal and a stumbling block.  

If you expect the Messiah to come with an army and take territory and restore ancient kingdoms, Jesus is a scandal and a stumbling block.

If you expect the Messiah to simply remove all our troubles (perhaps by eliminating those you hate and judge, or perhaps by carrying you away from them), Jesus is a scandal and a stumbling block.

You may say to yourself, I don’t expect any of that.

You may not really expect a Messiah anymore.

If all you expect is a nice holiday with carols and candles and a crèche, then Jesus may be a scandal and a stumbling block.

This is the Human One, the divine/human full package.  This is the one who fulfills humanity rather than overcoming it.  This one brings steadfast love and faithfulness, righteousness and peace, without ending our human vulnerability.  

For two thousand years theologians have stumbled over Jesus.  Poets do better.  We move toward the Nativity through hymns and carols and images because any logical statements become stumbling blocks.  

As we move toward the feast, perhaps it’s time to read some hymns and poems.  Don’t analyze them.  Just let them be.  With all their inadequate formulations and gendered language, they gesture at a truth we can never capture.  And for these few weeks, blessed is anyone who takes no offense at them.

May you be blessed today and always.