Do We Miss Jesus?
eMoment by Laurie Aker
Focus Scripture: Luke 11:29-32
29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say,
“This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign,
but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.
30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South
will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and
condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the
wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon
is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment
with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the
preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
When I was young I was asked by my mother,
“who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?”
I didn’t know who the Queen of Sheba was,
but I knew exactly what she meant…
I was being overly confident and full of myself.
There was something worth knowing about this ancient woman.
According to the ancient historian Josephus, the queen of Ethiopia
was the Queen of Sheba as mentioned in the following Passage:
2 Chronicles 9:1-9
1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon,
she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions…5 And she said to the
king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of
your wisdom, 6 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own
eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not
told me; you surpass the report that I heard. 7 Happy are your wives!
Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear
your wisdom! 8 Blessed be the LORD your God, who has
delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD
your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them
forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice
and righteousness.” 9 Then she gave the king 120 talents
of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones.
There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba
gave to King Solomon.
This queen, who knew little or nothing of the God of Israel,
was compelled to travel many miles from a distant land
to test the God-given wisdom of King Solomon.
She had heard of the God of Israel
and was drawn to inquire of Him. Yet God’s chosen people,
who had been taught in their Holy Law about their heavenly King,
despised and even rejected Him. Later when the King of kings,
the Prince of prophets, their Promised Messiah came
they trivialized Him, ignored Him, and later would crucify Him.
The Queen’s actions and her response condemned Israel.
Today we have been given even greater riches than Israel:
the Old and New Testament, salvation, eternal inheritance,
and the Holy Spirit, to name a few. But are we also guilty
of missing the glory of the Lord?
Does the Queen’s response put us to shame:
“Blessed be the LORD your God, who has
delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD
your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them
forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice
and righteousness.”
Israel was looking for a sign, but what are we looking for?
What are we striving for?
Do we miss Jesus and His glory because we are so
caught up, entangled, enamored, and entertained
that we can barely see?
O Lord, have mercy on us.
Help us get past ourselves, our culture, and our cravings.
Help us to stop looking around so that we can see You.
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Help me look to you and only you,
moment by moment throughout the day.
Let my mind be focused upon you.
Let my heart be full of you.
Let my life be for you.
Hebrews 12:2
…looking to Jesus, the founder
and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
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