Archive

Archive for the ‘disillusioned’ Category

Disillusioned?

February 13th, 2009

“What then did you go out to see?

(see Luke 7:24,25,26)

When John the Baptist came on the scene, he preached a message of repentance to the people of God (Lk. 3).  Then, after he was departed from this world by order of Herod’s execution, Jesus raised the question to the crowds-“What did you go out to see?” [re: John] (Lk. 7:24-26).  The options are provocative:

1.      “A reed shaken by the wind” – a  sensitive tender individual?

2.     “A man dressed in soft clothing” – a wealthy individual?

3.    “A prophet” – a man of God?

There was considerable disillusionment about John.  Expectations often differ from reality.  John had quite a following; but among those who were considered most educated and most religious-John was rejected; they were not about to subscribe to his message of repentance. In fact, the biblical text says that the elite “rejected the purpose of God,” by their rejection of John and his message (Lk. 7:36).

Disillusion comes in many forms, but when it means the rejection of the purposes of God, it is a severe form of disillusionment.  Be careful, then, that your own disillusionment is not a reflection of lack of repentance toward the ways of the Lord.  “Blessed is the one,” Jesus said, “who is not offended by me” (Lk. 7:23).

-Robert M. Housby