URC Daily Devotion Monday 16 December 2024

Jesus  came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

Reflection

Do we really want to be on the same level as others? Surely it is part of our human condition to be better than anyone else? 
 
Almost everything in society elevates the popular or important, often with so much celebrity status that we no longer have a perspective of a level plain. A view from a mount seems so much better. Looking down. Having the view we want. The vistas are clear. There is nothing obstructing our view, our way of seeing what we want to see as we look down on those we’ve decided are unworthy of our level.
 
The level plain reminds us of how much we don’t feel worthy to be on the same level as others. Where should we look? Up? Down? Around? A level plain assumes a rather blurred view. If you’re like me, you have to stand on your tiptoes to see. Vision is not clear. Things and people are in your way as you try to see over the heads of others, in between the bodies of others, so as to bring into view the reason you are there.
 
These two short verses expose our unconscious biases — how much our perspective has been decided by our society and our culture.  
 
What difference does it make that this is where Jesus wants us to be and asks us to be? Not on a mountain looking down on others. Or looking up as if we are not worthy.  In coming to a level plain, Jesus reminds us our call is to find the level places of life and ministry. The level place demands our faith sees the world from that perspective, to call out the proud and lift up the marginalised and says an unclear view might actually reveal vistas that enable us to see the Kingdom of God.

Prayer
 
Incarnate One,
when we are influenced by the ways of the world,
when we fail to keep our feet on the level plain,
when our trust in your grace and love is lacking
and our vista is blurred,
forgive us.
 
You know our hearts better than we know ourselves. 
You deal with us justly; 
grant us your forgiveness and by the power of your Spirit, 
strengthen and empower us to follow your way
that your Kingdom may come.
Amen.