When we look at the Russia-Ukraine war and the struggles between the Greek government and the EU, we see nations struggling for dominance or survival.
On top of that, the continuing violence in the Middle East and further afield does not inspire any signs of hope. The summit called by President Obama, addressing the issues of radicalisation among Muslim young people in Europe and the West has been long on analysis and very short of useful strategies.
And then we have the HSBC scandal and the apparent failures of many to do much about it all.
In Jesus' day, he was also surrounded by relentless bad news.
'About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.' (Luke 13.1) And at a more personal level, we read,' One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight.' (Luke 13.10-11)
For most people in Jesus' day, there was little or no good news to be heard. And yet Jesus challenged that perception, and changed that by announcing Good News.
His challenge was not just to make a few things a bit better, but to announce God's rule breaking in. By word and deed, he brought about change. 'When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!' (Luke 13.12-13)
In his stories, he hinted at the growing change which would be experienced. 'Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.” He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (Luke 13.18-21)
All of us are called to follow Jesus, in challenging the hopelessness of people around us.
Hope comes from putting our lives in the hands of the King, who was willing to have his hands nailed to a cross, to die and then rise again, as the conqueror of all that would bring bad news to destroy our lives.
That is quite a change from the relentless bad news we see all around!
Best wishes,
Richard
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