“Slow Cuts” Over Short Cuts
This is a great time of year to take the “slow-cuts” over the “short-cuts” on our ways to work, errands, etc — the leaves are changing, the final climax of 2011′s symphony is upon us!
In our day, there’s little respect given to the longer, sometimes meandering, but always intentional paths that lead us to our destination. We’ve devised GPS systems and shot things into space in hopes of finding the quickest, most fuel-efficient way from A to B. The least amount of time and energy from where I am to where I want to be. That’s the generally accepted path. But Jesus had another route he took…
Matthew 12:1-21 is an amazing fulfillment of the entire Old Testament – it reminds me of a mountain climber after several days of hard work, finally reaching the summit. Or an engaged couple after months of waiting, finally hearing wedding bells. In Jesus’ day, Jews and Gentiles alike were awaiting a traditional form of kingship – uprising, rebellion, and more – but Jesus instead quotes Isaiah 42; and remind us that the King Isaiah anticipated was different – “he will not fight or shout” –
The route to power through force and might has been tried, time and time again. Its the quickest and easiest route to power in our world. It works too! Revenge, abuse, murder, cheating… they are all names for the same boulivard in the human heart – the highway that leads to “what I want.” Trouble is, we end up in the ditch.
The way Jesus points to through his life (and specifically in Matthew 12) describes a new way. Not another short-cut or get rich-quick-scheme; his is the only way not to trample over the weak and the outcast in your establishment of power. Some people think that power is inherently bad - I disagree. Power is like currency – it is amoral, it is the wielder of that power that invests himself into that power and through that power he becomes more of who he already is. If you are a jerk, then with power, you will be an even BIGGER JERK!
But Jesus saw that his power was displayed through weakness, through healing the poor on the Sabbath, through dying on the Cross, and being raised by the Power of God.
— Jesus, I believe that you will eventually see the final victory – “Finally his cause for justice will be victorious.” I wait for that day – when we don’t have to take the compromised shortcuts in life, but all of us will be on the pathway you showed us – to the relational Kingdom of God.
I choose today to participate in that “slow-cut” toward freedom.
I want to find a way to cut out all my power grabs, personally, and in society. Help me Father to learn what areas of my life need a “lower-archy” introduced, so that I do not “crush the weakest reed, or put out a flickering candle…” You spoke out of a confidence of who you are as a Messiah. Let me be just as confident in my practices.
Tunesntoons is discussing. 
Tunesntoons 4:00 pm on August 17, 2011 Permalink
Except, sometimes it IS hard. BUT it’s not as hard as you think