Praying Together 9th July 2023

As part of a social experiment, Londoners were offered up to £50 with no strings attached by a person in the street. Only three out of ten people approached took up the generous offer.

Two men in suits were approached and offered £20, but they were sceptical about the motive behind the offering, immediately responding: “What have you got to do for it?” Another group of men who were offered cash were also cynical and asked “what’s the catch?”, while a man offered a £50 note simply said “No, I don’t want it.”
London Evening Standard, 20/8/2015

I suspect the reason behind that (true) story is that our lack of trust has been learned the hard way though experiences of being betrayed. So we look for a motive. We know the phrases – ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch’. ‘You never get something for nothing’. ‘If something looks too good to be true, it probably is’

We also know the hymn ‘Gentle Jesus, meek and mild’. Yes He certainly is, but not all the time. In today’s Gospel we see a rather different Jesus – ‘Irritated Jesus, frustrated and annoyed’. People have heard Him speak. He has healed many. They have seen Him perform miracles. He invites them to rejoice. He offers forgiveness.

And they turn away.

Perhaps you can’t totally blame them – they have heard prophets before who have promised them wealth and success, but haven’t delivered – In many cases, leaving people robbed of everything they have.

So they want to know Jesus’ motive – and when they hear that simply out of love for them, He freely offers freedom, they refuse to accept Him.

‘What do I have to do to be free?’, they ask. What will it cost me?

Just believe, He says. I’ll buy it for you. On a cross.