June 19, 2011: Try Again – Michael Hidalgo

It appears that Jesus was having a bit of an off day. He is trying to provide healing for this guy, but doesn’t nail it on the first try. The guy can see a little, but not fully. Maybe Jesus needed a little bit more of that “Holy Ghost Power” up in here. Or maybe this story is an example of how healing truly occurs – in stages. 

Jesus’ disciples seem to miss the reality of who he is all the time. And his disciples today do the same thing (yes, I am referring to you and me). Perhaps this is the way we are wired. Today we have come to believe that accepting Jesus is more of a finish line than a starting line. We do not really believe any growth is necessary because we believe that we have all the answers at the beginning. But this is never true. Conversion is an ongoing process – one in which we begin to learn how little we actually do know, and learn that this is okay.

The question Jesus asks his disciples is a question that still needs to be asked today. Often we can mentally ascent to an answer, but when the reality of who he is and what he is about is shown for what it is – we may just want to rebuke him like Peter does. There are many kinds of Jesuses in this world. Judgmental. Militant. Weak. Welcoming. Impotent. And the list could go on – and on. So we must ask, “Who do you say that I am?” In the end there are some Jesuses that must be rejected and others that must be accepted. 

In this we must always be willing to accept who he says he is. We get ourselves into trouble when our experience, expectations, cultural norms, and religious traditions trump what Jesus is actually saying. There were a lot of expectations placed on Jesus in his day, and when these expectations come face to face with Jesus in the mind of Peter Jesus says, “Get behind me.” In other words – follow me and do what I do.