(Ez.2:2-5; Ps.123:1-4; 2Cor.12:7-10; Mk.6:1-6) "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." And so Ezekial, though he is being sent to those "who have rebelled against [God]," to those who are "hard of face" and "obstinate of heart," yet must declare, "Thus says the Lord," yet must call to their rebellious hearts "whether they heed or resist." Likely they will resist him; likely they will persecute him, as they have all the prophets, but still he must "lift up [his] eyes" to Him who is "enthroned in heaven" – despite his weakness before these lions, he must stand strong with God. And "so are our eyes on the Lord, our God"; so do we look to Him constantly for His mercy and protection. "We are more than sated with contempt: our souls are more than sated with the mockery of the arrogant, with the contempt of the proud." The believing Christian cannot but be persecuted by the wickedness of the world, pervasive in all men's hearts, for he stands in constant opposition to the lust and greed and violence with which fallen man seeks to fill his soul. What can we be but weak in the face of such a hardened enemy. And yet we must make that enemy our friend; yet we must say with Paul: "I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ." For we know that the power of God is with us despite our humiliation; we know that He acts just the same to thwart the wicked. On the cross they mocked the Lord; they spurned His goodness and looked with contempt on His love, a love which died for them who beat Him. And today we see that Jesus "came to His native place… to teach in the synagogue," despite the fact that they would "[take] offense at Him." They cannot believe this humble carpenter's son could teach with such wisdom: "Where did this man get all this?" they ask in doubt of His origin. The Lord's weak appearance belies the mighty Spirit which is upon Him; and those who are blind to truth and so slow of heart to believe cannot but mock and stone Him who alone would give them strength. Brothers and sisters, to whatever people you go let them know "that a prophet has been among them"; show them all that Christ has risen from the dead. There may be some who will turn from their sin, and even if rebuked, you will maintain the power of the grace of God within. Always remember, it is not you who speak but the Lord. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" (first half) from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, though so human and weak in ourselves, in you we are strong. YHWH, you call us to endure the mockery of the arrogant, the contempt of the proud. Though persecuted for the Word we bring to rebellious souls, we must nonetheless speak in your NAME, content with such mistreatment. If even your Son was rejected by His kin, to whom He came working wonders, what should we expect else, we who are but weak men? Let us not be afraid to join in the suffering of Jesus, but rejoice that we are called to be as He is. In humble stature your Christ walked amongst us, but great was your power upon Him. Though we would inevitably reject His loving call and fix Him to a cross, He did not turn from such mockery of His divinity. And so we call upon you, LORD, to give us the strength He showed, to be with us through all that comes with walking in His way. Let your grace be at work in us as we go forth to hardened souls.