Did You Really Say That?

On the news Sir Keir Starmer was speaking at the Labour Party conference: ‘I call again for restraint and de-escalation at the border between Lebanon and Israel …’ I wasn’t really listening.

‘…I call again for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of the sausages…’ He suddenly had my attention. Did he really say that?

He corrected himself ‘…the hostages…’ It was too late. His recommitment to Palestine and Israel is based on returning sausages.

We went to Hunstanton yesterday. Outside the town hall a noticeboard advertised various community events including a ‘Friday Friendship Club’. The explanation underneath started, ‘We meet every Friday’ Really?! I’d like a Friday Club that meets on a Thursday.

We had lunch in a little café, run by two women – it could have been a mother and daughter. I followed the sign marked ‘Toilet’. At the end of a short dark corridor a sign announced, ‘Gents to the left – because Ladies are always right’.

Daughter-Jo is about to have a significant birthday; she’s arranging a bit of a do. The invitation makes it clear that there are to be no children. I asked, ‘Does it really say that?… Does that mean if we go Jo can’t go? And what about her own children?’

Jesus tells of a wedding banquet. Many are invited. Some reject the invitation; loads turn up – good and bad, sick and healthy, rich and poor… all-inclusive.

One man is ostracised for not wearing the correct wedding clothes. The instruction is: ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

In a different story, Jesus talks about separating people ‘as a shepherd separates the sheep form the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left…’

Sheep receive their King’s inheritance, goats eternal punishment.

As a Jesus-follower I ask: ‘Did he really say that?’ Where’s the all-inclusive God of love, mercy and forgiveness? Easy answers to difficult questions? I’m musing.