Friday of Week 5 – 1 Kings 11:29-32,12:19; Mark 7:31-37

“No good deed goes unpunished!” – In frustration, I repeat a saying used by various authors. An ironic twist on conventional moral wisdom. How many times does it turn out that it is not worth being honest, just, kind or simply good!

“I have done many good works [. . .] for which of these are you stoning Me?” – Jesus asks the Jews who want to stone Him. He didn’t convince them. Then He withdrew to the Jordan. But it wouldn’t be long until Passover. . .

If He who did not break the bruised reed or extinguish the smouldering wick was condemned and executed, what else could we expect?

You can endure suffering, you can renounce revenge with the hope that God will avenge you. But is it worth imitating the One who died? Who – it seems – to have been disappointed in the Father? Is it worth forgiving wrongdoers?

“When he makes himself an offering […], he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand; he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied.” – says the Scripture (Is 53:10-11). And in another place: he was heard for his godly fear (Heb 7:5).

Do you believe that God will never abandon you?