Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 is the lectionary Gospel text for next Sunday.
Jesus hung with, ate with, associated with those not approved by the religious leaders of His day.
They were heaped in empire values and viewed themselves "above" others.
They believed that they had reached a certain status in society, and they abused their power to
hold down, back and out others of whom they did not approve.
They thought themselves more pure and holy than others, and therefore more worthy.
They believed in self-righteousness and merit as a part of their embedded theology.
Jesus set them straight.
Mercy. God wants mercy, not judgment or punitive treatment.
We are all sinful. We all need Grace. We are called to be loving and gracious regardless of merit.
We cannot earn our salvation.
Those who believe otherwise have their own sins with which to deal.
And then, Jesus acted.
Jesus showed mercy to the daughter of a synagogue leader.
Jesus showed mercy to an "unclean" woman.
Jesus showed mercy.
If your belief is that some are better than others in this world, and especially in God's eyes, your embedded beliefs are leading you astray.
If you believe that we can earn our salvation through purity and holiness, tithes and worship and praise, your embedded theology is failing you.
If you believe that this faith is all about you and Jesus, and your personal salvation, your embedded theology has failed you.
If you believe that part of faith is being blessed and highly favored above others, or that you are necessarily to prosper by worshiping, praying, tithing, praising Jesus, you have been the victim of false teachers.
Jesus taught, commanded and modeled the active living of Agape Love - active commitment/committed action on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable.
Jesus exhibited Grace - undeserved loving mercy, given freely.
Jesus commanded us not to judge others.
Jesus commanded us to forgive.
Jesus commanded us to care for the most vulnerable, strangers and even enemies.
Jesus advocated on behalf of women, foreigners, people of other faiths and even occupiers.
Jesus said His followers are the ones who deny self, take up the Cross and follow Him.
Jesus set folk straight on their false and embedded beliefs.
If your faith allows you to be only concerned with yourself and those connected to or like you,
if it allows you to hate others not like you, if it allows you to get as much as you can for yourself at the expense or to the exclusion of others around you, if it allows you to abuse your power over others to exploit or hurt them and if it allows you to desire or strive for status/position/superiority over others, it is not of Jesus. I assure you. There are many false prophets and teachers who will tell you what you want to hear, and having "itching ears" to hear what you want, you may be tempted to follow their teachings. If you are being taught in ways that lead you to give your devotion to yourself above others, it is not of Jesus. Don't listen to them. For your sake, the sake of your soul, the sake of others and the soul of our nation and the world, do not listen to them.
Look to Jesus. Read what Jesus is witnessed as saying in the Gospels.
Live Agape Love and Grace, be merciful with others.
That is what God wants.
Pastor Jamie
No comments:
Post a Comment