Decaf Jesus

 Decaf Jesus 

In our version of Hebrews 10, Jesus reprimands the footstool makers that would decide who his enemies are that they may be made into a footstool for his feet. He reprimands, but is he angry?
     So, who am I to say – who didn’t attend Baptist Sunday School in his youth, or go to Bible camp or a Bible college (though he does seem to know the story in Mark 2) – but I don’t think Jesus gives in to anger. He is disappointed, even to the point of exasperation at times. But he stops before he gets there. He remembers who we are, how foolish as Simon Peter, how craven as the rich young ruler, how selfish as the Boanerges brothers, how jealous as the prodigal’s older brother; and he relents. He shakes his head. He chuckles sadly. He reminds himself that if he is to accomplish anything – and maybe he won’t – but if he will, it will be by patience.    
     Only by patience can love be taught; and love can be taught, he still wants to think. Maybe that’s his foolishness, but he continues to think that. Then, it comes to him, by love he may only mean patience. If the older brother, for example, could have learned patience. If the hard-workers in the vineyard could have stopped counting for one moment. If the footstool makers could sit still and not always be looking out for parts or John of Patmos not setting lakes on fire. If we could take time to think well and not ill of one another.
     “And so forth,” Jesus thinks. Then,
     “Gosh! Am I the kind of dreamer that thinks he can drink coffee not to nettle his nerves but to soothe them.”
                                                                            11.16.21