Those Who Mock Jesus

Those mockers of Jesus, they're so cruel, so self-righteous, so arrogant. At best, those who mock Jesus are ignorant. From the cross, though, Jesus prays for them: Father, forgive them. They just don't know what they're doing. Those soldiers who mocked Jesus couldn't have understood what they were doing let alone to whom they were doing it.

Throughout a good bit of my day I frequently pray, "Lord, have mercy on me." What has occurred to me of late, however, is that behind that prayer is a heart that is really asking God to make my day easier, more comfortable. I'm not dealing with issues of disease or broken relationships. just "old man" problems and people who irritate me. Most of my daily problems are really rather benign. I don't have enemies waiting to attack me. Just people who think I drive too slow... or too fast. I'm not in financial poverty. I just wish I had a little more money. I want comfort, ease, pleasantness and pleasure. It's not as if my life is lacking these things at all. What I really want is for my life to be easier, more comfortable, more pleasant, and much more pleasurable. I claim to be a Christian but the interests of my heart betray me. Jesus never pursued comfort, ease or pleasure. Oh yes... just before he went to the cross he did ask God if He might remove the painful ordeal he was bound to face. But there was a caveat, a condition Jesus included: More than anything else, Father, I want what you want. Whenever Jesus prayed, it was always for the sake of the desire of the Father to be fulfilled.

To be a Christian means to be a Christ follower, someone who seeks and strives to live his/her life in a way that is consistent with the teachings and model Christ offered. In reading the gospels it seems pretty obvious that the pursuit of ease, comfort or pleasure (or even happiness) was not the practice of Jesus. His agenda was to love his Heavenly Father with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. Whatever the Father wanted was the most important purpose of any moment for Jesus - regardless of the apparent and immediate cost to himself.

And then I look at myself, again. Is my life lived in imitation of the life of Christ? Do I strive for each moment of my life to be lived as if consumed with a passion for the one whom I call my Lord? Or is my life more a mockery of His? Do I justify selfish pursuits - even for just a moment? Do I live as ignorantly as those soldiers spoke?

Maybe I am among those who mock Jesus.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.