SO?

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy  (Psalm 107:2)

Take the first part of that verse and read it with a different inflection.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say, ”So?”

Please, allow me to share an example.

In John chapter 2, Jesus performed the first public miracle of His ministry by turning water into wine at a wedding. (Don’t you just love alliteration.)  This miracle was instigated by Jesus’ mother, who was concerned that the happy couple would be embarrassed that the open bar had run dry.

When Mary broached the topic to Jesus (whom I maintain did not even want to accompany His mom to this wedding), the Lord replied, “Woman, what does that have to do with Me?”

Mother Mary said, “They’re out of wine.”

And Jesus replied, “So?”

There are times when the most lovingly Christian reply is sarcasm.

Yes. Yes, that’s what I said.

I’m not talking about the kind of sarcasm that crosses or straddles the line into verbal bullying.  I’m talking about lovingly and succinctly responding in a matter that communicates that you really don’t give a crap what they think because God has made it clear what you’re supposed to do.

Examine Jesus’ response in John 2 and you’ll notice that it involved:

-          No personal attacks;

-          No passive aggression to destroy the mood of the party;

-          No long justification for his attitude;

-          No direct or indirect efforts to grab attention;

Also, note that Jesus fixed the wedding couple’s wine problem.  He did so quickly and rather anonymously.  We know that Jesus didn’t draw a bunch of attention to Himself because John 2: 9, 10 says that the wedding coordinator thought the bride and groom had pulled the 2^nd batch of wine out of their secret stash.

Saying, “So” doesn’t mean that you don’t care. 

Saying, “So,” doesn’t mean that you won’t help.

Saying, “So,” means that you won’t argue.

Jesus-style sarcasm requires that when it’s all said and done, you’ve DONE a whole lot more than you’ve SAID.

Saying, “So,” doesn’t mean shutting THEM up.

It’s means shutting YOURSELF up.

In fact, a more literal translation of that opening clause in Psalm 107:2 would read: Let the redeemed of the Lord say.

That’s it.  End of sentence.  Literally say------- NOTHING.

Maybe Jesus discerned that the wedding party was too drunk to appreciate a theological exegesis of the transformation of water into new wine.  Maybe Jesus knew He’d just be casting verbal pearls before drunken swine (so to speak).

There were many times when Jesus meticulously explained His identity as the Messiah, the Son of God.  But not THIS time.

This time Jesus just said, “So,” and worked the miracle.  And as far as we can tell from the text, after working the miracle, He said------ NOTHING.

The redeemed of the Lord are they whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.

If WE understand who we are then we won’t waste so much time trying to prove our spiritual credentials to everybody.

Somebody needs to hear your testimony, but everybody doesn't.

Everybody doesn’t need to hear "your story" EVERY doggone time you perform a good work.

Sometimes they just need sarcasm and service.

Say, “So,” and work your miracle, and then just shut up.

Let your actions speak louder than your words.

---Anderson T. Graves II   is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO) and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).

Email atgravestwo2@aol.com

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To listen to sermons and learn more about the ministry at Hall Memorial CME Church, visit www.hallmemorialcme.blogspot.com .

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