PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

November 12, 2023

SNAP JUDGMENTS

As I was reflecting on the state of public and political discourse today, I was reminded of a story from the Gospel of John.  “The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.  He found Philip and said to him, ’Follow me.’  Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’  Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’  Philip said to him, ‘Come and see. (John 1:43-46).’”

Given the size of Nazareth, 300-400 persons, it is a wonder that Nathanael knew anything about it. Those who lived there were farmers or tradesmen.  Joseph was a carpenter who very likely found work In Sepphoris, the capital of Galilee, which was near-by.  When I visited Nazareth, I saw some caves that were very likely used to house life stock. The owner would have lived in a stone structure in front of the entrance.  It is easy to see how Nathanal could have made the snap judgment about anything of any importance coming out of the small village.

Fortunately, for Nathanal he took Philip’s advice and went and saw. “When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is not deceit!’  Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you get to know me?’  Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’  Nathanal replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God!  You are the King of Israel! (John 1:47-49).”

There are political persons on television with whose talking points I disagree.  It would seem to me that no matter the subject, they always wind up with the same ending point.  They tend to dismiss or debunk situations or ideas which do not conform to their world view.  Unfortunately, I have discovered the charges I make against those with whom I disagree would also seem to be valid with those with whom I agree.  I find it hard to find a person discussing a current event with at least a little objectivity.

Over the years I have come up with a short list of persons from variety of political camps who I found very seldom bloviated with their favorite talking points when asked to comment. They give nuanced answers that reflect a consideration of the topic at hand.  This is not to say they never give snap answers based on their personal outlook.  They do.  Nevertheless, their usual response is to objectively rather than subjectively look at the topic at hand.

I have to admit there is one person whom I find an enigma.  For the most part he is a jokester who loves to make fun of people and things.  I find the life style he projects to be somewhat troubling.  Most of his answers are for affect, not insight.  However, ever once in a while he comes up with something really profound and insightful. It is for these precious moments I keep him on my list.

We live in a world where snap judgments are the norm.  While there is not much we can do about changing this, we can change our own responses.  Rather than jumping to conclusions and filtering everything through our talking points, we can take Philip’s advice to “Come and see.”

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)