Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Dec. 1, 2011

Daily Ornament!
A Week of Hope: Thursday, Day Five
“I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:1-2

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-46
Hope changes perspective. It sees the bigger picture and the God who is responsible for painting that picture.
But there is bigger question (or questions) that sometimes we are afraid to ask. We shouldn’t be afraid but often we are. Such as…what does hope look like? What does it feel like? Would we know it if we saw it, experienced it?
The people of Jesus’ day were looking for it—and yet when it was right in front of them many did not recognize it. Maybe they were too wrapped up in their politics to see that the King was standing and living in their midst. Perhaps they were too engulfed in their bitterness and anger of the Roman occupation to understand that the very One who their ancestors pointed to as the promised Messiah was showing them the way. Perhaps they were comfortable with the way things were and were resentful what this young buck was preaching/teaching.
Maybe we are the same way.
Maybe we are so wrapped up in Christmas that we forget to take the time to understand the true purpose of Christ in our lives. Maybe we want to hold on to our anger and hurt—thinking that it gives us purpose. Maybe hope is right in front of us and like those of Jesus’ day, we fail to recognize it.
A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable--and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves--she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season: overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting perfect gifts for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and said, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond: "Don't worry, we already crucified Him." For the rest of the trip down, the elevator was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase and word. If we all did, just think how different this whole world would be. That is what hope looks like.
Pastor J. T. Carnell