Threats

The death of the suicide bomber in Sweden, and the intended visit of Pastor Jones from Florida to Luton both remind us of the ways in which some people generate poison and hatred from their supposed religious convictions. Some would remark. 'All religion is dangerous', and fail to see where hope lies.
If you missed John Bell's masterful comments on Radio 4's Though for the Day on the Today Programme just before 8am, catch it on their iplayer.
How different from the ways in which the prophet Isaiah outlines the ministry of the Chosen One of God. 'The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
      for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favour has come' (Isaiah 61.1-2a)
In his own ministry, Jesus used these verses as his manifesto, and preached on this passage in the synagogue in Nazareth, his home town. As Luke tells us, it didn't go down well, and the townspeople wanted to kill him for such arrogant claims. (Luke 4.28-30)
Bringing a message of true hope and divine mercy does not always make us popular, and we too may face the abuse and rejection that Jesus himself faced. We have Good News to share - but not all will see it that way.
Best wishes,
Richard