Puzzled. It amazes me how a simple change can puzzle people because of a slight change.
I guess that's because people are supposed to look and act like they did when we met them. Anything else is just hard work trying to figure out who you are now and what do I do with that?
An example: Yesterday I had a minor surgery. Sure I got a new hole in my head and it wasn't very deep. Skin tumour. My third one so far. Less aggressive; non invasive; easily treated; especially when caught early. The results have caused concern and confusion. Imagine, a minister in a clerical shirt, who has a noticeable patch above the right eye. The right eye also has a shiner. Looks like a street or bar fight to me. I was asked, "Did you mouth off your wife again?" This from a friend of ours who knows us pretty well. On the other hand, some people are just puzzled and bewildered. The two physical presences do not go together in their world of experience. It has ever been thus.
Two examples from Jesus' ministry to illustrate. Mark 5. The man Jesus meets in verse 1 is vastly different than the man at work as an evangelist in verse 20. This is not the same man at all. And then there is John 9. The whole chapter is instructive for us today. The man at the start of the chapter gets healed fairly quickly. Notice the reactions to him following his witness and change. He cannot be the same man before and after. This is fake news. There is a conspiracy at work here. It happened in Jesus' day and it happens now.
If we gain or lose 45 kgs. (100 lbs.) see if people recognize you. If you suffer a stroke, see if people recognize and treat you the same. When you wind up permanently in a wheelchair for any reason, see if people deal with you in the same way. But we are different because of our experiences in life. People with scars have stories to tell. People who change friends because they now belong with people who understand them better have stories to tell. And we all have wisdom to share about this if those around us will allow it.
Notice that Jesus was rejected because he was so changed. The boy we knew in Luke 2:41-52 cannot be the man on the cross in Luke 23:26-43 who is still showing grace and mercy to others. And he is; and that is the very essence of the continuing love of God.
Pr. Scott
Image: "Baby's Puzzled Expression" by mrmeex (https://www.deviantart.com/mrmeex/art/Baby-s-Puzzled-Expression-205541767) Creative Commons License
