Be Right II

Is not this the carpenter’s son?

 - From Matthew 13

We read, and hear, Scripture rendered in such somber tones. It makes you think that Bible times were very serious, even-tempered, steady, boring.

But those were brutal times. There were few people with any rights. Classes and castes were strictly observed. We have to try to imagine how people today would respond to the Lord, and to do that you simply need to just read the newspapers, or watch cable news and reality TV.

Or read Social Media.

"Carpenter's Son" was a dismissive, derisive put-down. 

Who does this guy think He is?

Doesn't He know His place?

Why are we listening to Him? Where's his degree? His learning? His wealth? If he were so smart, he'd have more to show for it! How can He afford all this wandering around? What does He know about being a woman? He can't relate to me - I'm a Samaritan! He's not a Roman . . . don't pay any attention to Him!! He doesn't have a right to such opinions!!

Whatever reason you have, to discount someone's opinion, the same was said of Christ . . . or worse. 

And still today, people look for reasons not to listen to Him.

As my cousin, Larry Johnson (RIP) once said: "Even if you do not believe in Christ as Savior, if you lived according to the Bible, you would be more successful, and happier."

But people want their groups to belong to. They want to be angry about something. They want to feel more important, or smarter than, or more popular, than others. 

They want to matter. 

Being right begins with being willing, even to listen to a Carpenter's Son, and treat Him like He counts. 

Even though he's poor. Or not a celebrity. Or a troublemaker.