Jesus Shakes His Head in Disappointment

“In the splendid palace chapel a stately court preacher, the cultivated public’s elite, advances before an elite circle of fashionable and cultivated people and preaches emotionally on the text of the Apostle, ‘God chose the lowly and despised’–and nobody laughs.”

Soren Kierkegaard

And Luke’s Jesus shakes his head in utter disappointment as the rich young rulers continue to serve themselves instead of the poor.

Thanks to my good friend Gary Holloway for alerting me to this gem of a quote which appears in Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Soren Kierkegaard, ed. Charles Moore (Orbis Books, 2003), p. xix.



10 Responses to “Jesus Shakes His Head in Disappointment”

  1.   Jim Martin Says:

    John Mark,
    What an awesome quote by Kierkegaard! How sobering…

  2.   Ben Overby Says:

    John Mark,

    I’m happy to see you’re back at the blog. I love Kierkegaard and his relentless critique of institutionalized religion. Thanks for sharing the quote.

    Ben
    http://benoverby.wordpress.com

  3.   Bobby Cohoon Says:

    Nice quote!

    Bobby
    http://littlesorrel.blogspot.com

  4.   Royce Ogle Says:

    Sobering. When said well it doesn’t take many words does it?

    Grace and Peace,
    Royce Ogle

  5.   K. Rex Butts Says:

    Brother Hicks,

    I know you and I share a love for the Chicago Cubs (a classic mark of intelligence) but are you also a Chicago Bears fan?

    This has nothing to do with your blog, bit I thought I would ask any ways.

  6.   Neva Says:

    Great quote. Have been to visit several times.

    Peace to you,
    Neva

  7.   Adam Gonnerman Says:

    Food for thought. This is sort of how Americans look to the third world.

  8.   Paula Harrington Says:

    Very nice quote. Thanks for sharing.

  9.   TREY MORGAN Says:

    Welcome back

  10.   danieltomlinson Says:

    How appropriate that I just listened to a sermon you preached at SV back in January on Crossing Boundaries. He’s constantly comforting us when we are afflicted and afflicting us when we are comfortable.

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