What Are They Thinking?

 

When I took this picture, I didn't see that expression - that expression of realizing someone is watching. I wonder if that blue bird was wondering: "just what is that human doing?"                                                                                                      Sometimes, we all wonder why people react as they do. Over the centuries the question has been asked, "What has man done to man?" In Luke 7:31, we find Jesus asking a similar question: "Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? And, what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, 'We have piped unto you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not wept.' For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and you say, 'He have a devil.' The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and you say, 'Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!' But wisdom is justified of all her children."

Before Jesus asked the question, Luke writes about John the Baptist sending two of his disciples to confirm that Jesus is the Son of God. They asked Jesus, "Are you the one that should come?" These disciples witnessed Jesus healing the sick, removing evil spirits from men, and giving sight to the blind. Jesus answered their question by telling them to go tell John what they saw him doing. John's disciples also heard Jesus preaching the gospel to the poor. After John's disciples returned to John, Jesus spoke to those around him about John the Baptist. Many went out into the wilderness to hear John, the prophet, talk about the Savoir to come and to be baptized. John was the prophet in the wilderness spoken of by the prophets from ages past who will be a 'messenger to prepare the way.' (7:27) The ones who heard Jesus say these things along with the publicans 'justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.' (29,30) 

Afterwards, Simon, a Pharisee, invites Jesus into his home. When Jesus enters, Simon did not follow the custom of the time of offering water to the traveler to wash his feet. I imagine Simon had the meal waiting and rushed Jesus to the table to use this time to find fault with the man many were following. As they were sharing a meal together, a woman known for her sins enters the house with an alabaster box of ointment. She bows down behind Jesus weeping, washes Jesus' feet, drying his feet with her hair, and rubbed the ointment on his feet. Simon quickly judged Jesus for letting such a woman touch him. Simon did not say these words to Jesus but 'within himself.' But, Jesus knew just what he was thinking and said to Simon, "I have somewhat to say to you. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me, which of them will love him more?" 

Simon's answer was the logical one. The one who owed the most. Yet, this woman who was a known sinner washed Jesus's feet when Simon did not follow the custom of welcoming a guest by washing Jesus' feet. Simon did not welcome Jesus with a kiss, but the woman kissed Jesus' feet. Simon did not anoint Jesus' head, but this lady anointed Jesus' head with the expensive oil. Jesus forgave the many sins of the woman. As Simon and the publicans were wondering who is this man who forgives sins, Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you, go in peace.' Jesus knew their thoughts and let them know that it is all about faith. 

Yet, many witnessed Jesus' miracles, heard his many parables and sermons, and were fed much from so little with some believing and others just there for the benefits. He watched the crowds come to be healed and to just see what Jesus will do next. No wonder he asked about 'this generation of men.' As they came to see the show, they failed to believe that Jesus was the promised one, God's Son. They followed the crowds to get a free meal as they heard about Jesus feeding many with two fish and five loaves of bread. Yet, they failed to understand that this was the Son of God. They failed to have faith. 

Now, we can ask the same question about people. What are they thinking? There is a long list of events bringing this question to mind. Unfortunately, centuries after Jesus, many still have little faith. Many think they have all the answers, then fail. Some think that being from a 'good family' makes everything well. Others think it is about having a big house, latest model car, and money in the bank. There are those who think sitting in church every Sunday creates a seat in heaven. Yet, they fail to understand that they are placing their faith in superficial things and not in God.

So, if Jesus was to ask you as he did the men in the ship after the storm, "Where is your faith?" (Luke 8:25) How would you answer? Just what are you thinking?