Graeme Schache
Reconnect us….
We have celebrated Jesus connecting with everyone in our worship times over the past week. Jesus was the master of making connections with people during his ministry as recorded in the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He made a habit of connecting with members of society who others would shun. This extended to tax collectors, prostitutes and lepers and others who were not as socially alienated but still not on the top of invite lists for parties.
In some ways connecting with others was at the top of Jesus’ priorities as he made his way around his part of the world in the first century AD. Whenever he connected with an individual or a group of people he brought about miraculous change within them. A wonderful example of this is recorded in Luke 19:1-10 where Jesus connected with a tax collector called Zacchaeus. This encounter transformed Zacchaeus life and led to him moving beyond the social isolation he had experienced to being part of his community and enjoying the best parts of what it means to experience a life that is full of blessing and meaning. No longer was he alienated from others – instead he was connected.
Being connected to others in meaningful ways is perhaps the greatest joy we experience in our lives. Certainly, being ostracised or cut off from others can be a source of great pain. Our God understands this and it is for this reason that Jesus came into our world. His life, death and resurrection provide the means for us to connect or reconnect with the God who made us. In turn, our connection with God enables deep connection to others that is life giving and beautiful.
As we make our way through the great challenges of lockdown and the disconnection this brings into our lives, may each of us deepen our connection with the one who brings life and love into all situations no matter how dire they may be. Jesus is the one who connects with all people and as we receive his offer of love and connection we are always blessed – just as Zacchaeus and others were too.
