Lobbying God

Scripture

“So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go”, and he goes; and that one, “Come”, and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.’ Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.”   
(Luke 7:6-10 NIVUK)  

Lobbying God

Our provincial government has been embroiled in a controversy about what properties might be released from a greenbelt environmental protection region ringing Toronto. It appeared some lobbying of key officials led to properties being released, to the advantage of a small group of “friends” of the government. It all blew up in the government’s face.  We all lobby in some way or other when we advocate for another person’s interests but some of it is without agenda and some has a bit of a smell. 

An occupying Roman military leader engaged lobbyists to approach Jesus to heal a valuable staff person. He recruited some local religious leaders to lobby Jesus based on his philanthropic help for their synagogue building efforts. 

While Jesus was still enroute to his house, he sent friends to lobby with a different, humbler message. “I don’t deserve to have you under my roof, but you operate the way I do, directing others to act. Please do the same on behalf of my assistant.” 

Amazed by this Jesus does as he is asked, and the fellow was healed.   We too can lobby God on behalf of others, but it seems a humble approach is better than negotiating based on prior good deeds. We can approach God for ourselves, lobby on others’ behalf, have others lobby God for someone else’s needs.  Let’s keep humbly lobbying God for the good of others around us.  

A Prayer for Today

Loving God, your Son invited us to call on you for the needs of the world, that your will be done in our world, that daily bread would be found for all and forgiveness would be the order of the day. Help us to join efforts with others to join you in your hopes for our world. Let us be active lobbyists for God  …. For Jesus’ sake