February 24 – “Under the bus”

We had another classic response from one of the kids at church yesterday.  We had already been through a rousing kids’ sermon, and I was well into the adults' teaching.  The topic was the man who had been blind from birth and then healed by Jesus.  After the healing he was required by Jewish law to present himself to the religious authorities so he could be declared ceremonially clean and be admitted into the covenant community.  The problem he ran into was the hatred of those same authorities for the one who had done the healing.  It had taken place on the Sabbath, and healing was “officially” considered work, so technically Jesus had broken the Sabbath.  The authorities were out for Jesus’ head, and saw this as an opportunity to get it.

Part of their plan was to discredit the miracle itself, but the only way to do that was to get testimony from someone who could prove the healed man was not really who he said he was.  So they called his parents to testify.  They answered the first two questions with ease: “Yes, he is our son,” and “Yes, he was born blind.”  They got a bit evasive on the third question, though.  That was the “How can he now see?” one.  Instead of speculating and maybe getting themselves into hot water with the council, they said, “He’s of age.  Ask him.” 

And if you ever wonder whether or not kids are listening to the sermon, let me assure you, they probably hear more than you think.  They are just incredible multi-taskers.  Right after I read their answer, one of the boys blurted out, “So they just threw him under the bus!”  Hadn’t thought of it exactly in those terms, but that’s exactly what they did.  So I agreed with the assessment wholeheartedly.  The youngster beamed with delight.  I guess because I didn’t just tell him to be quiet.  Now that I think back on it, that would have been a great opportunity to say something like, “Aren’t you glad God doesn’t throw us under the bus?”  I’ll have to remember that one. 

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 says, “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.  The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’”

Father, thank you for that “never leave you nor forsake you,” promise.  That’s the same as saying “I’ll never throw you under the bus,” isn’t it?  Can we get in on some of that as well?  I know I’m not Joshua, but sometimes I feel his fear and discouragement.  And who doesn’t need encouragement?  Amen.