http://bit.ly/TBQnZP
The link above will take you to Matthew 7:1-12. This part of scripture has Jesus continuing with the sermon on the mount. He is telling his followers many little things about how to live.
Do not judge... How easily we find things to criticize about others. It is a human thing to find fault in others so as to avoid thinking about our own shortcomings. Jesus says it several ways. Know yourself and you will be less critical. Know yourself and you won't be so ready to throw stones.
Do not give what is holy to dogs... How often have we given really good advice only to have someone trash it and us? There are people always ready to trash any idea that is voiced in the public forum. It is one big reason good people have a hard time being public figures. Closer to home, it is best to share what is most important to us only with those who have earned the right to hear such things by having treated us with respect in the past. Offer what is holy to you carefully.
Ask, and it will be given... Clearly this is not about material goods. Otherwise everyone would win the lottery. So what then? Ask for wisdom, insight, mercy, peace? Maybe. In the context of the above passages, I'd be more inclined to think this is a journey of self discovery and understanding. Sometimes people are afraid to look too closely at themselves because they fear what they might find, or not find. Here is a solid promise that if you seek to know yourself really, you will not be betrayed by the truth. This is simultaneously both the most frightening and most rewarding journey I have ever taken. In light of the passage that follows, there is genuine hope that when one really knows ones self, that peace, mercy and a sense of real certainty about who one is will emerge more clearly.
In everything... This is the most basic law. It is a part of every ancient written code and predates Jesus by at least 2000 years. Do to others as you want them to do to you. This presumes that you already have found a way to love your self or at least don't wish to harm yourself. Do to others... how will that work out if you are a lawmaker who takes this seriously? Or a judge who interprets the law? Or a policeman who enforces the law? How would this work out if you are a parent, or a child, or a clerk at a store? How about a business woman, priest or teacher? It is interesting how in any situation where one has authority or control over another how differently those interactions might look if we take this seriously.
Don't judge others, do save your personal self for those that can handle it, do seek insight into yourself and when those are all lined up - treat others as your would have them treat you. Good luck friends. Blessings.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Good Christian folks - please stop whining about being persecuted
When Jesus was approached by James and John who were asking a favor to be granted unconditionally he responded without making promises. Jesus just told them that he was going to be tortured and murdered. He also pointed out that he would rise again. Their response was to ask a favor.
Hey, could we please be given honored positions near you when you get to be famous? They seemed to misunderstand what they were asking. They wanted positions of respect and Jesus shared with them what that really meant. You will have to go what I am going through to be respected like that. They said they were up for the pain. Jesus told them the sad news that even when they go through all that, it is not his call who gets the place of respect.
So about persecution. Good Christian folks - please stop whining about being persecuted. If you are doing it right, you ought to be persecuted. It is part of the deal. We are not supposed to be the majority and we are not suppose to persecute others. We are not supposed to suppress or oppress others. We are supposed to deal with the persecution without retaliation. And for goodness sake, stop looking for the reward and respect.
The other fellows in Jesus's group were pretty put out by these two angling for authority. Jesus tried to make it clear - the role of a good Christian is to serve others and not be the person in charge. Using a position of power to require others to conform and obey is antithetical to the gospel and the example of Jesus.
One more thing about persecution. When someone else has a different opinion from me, they are not persecuting me unless they try to make me believe or behave in a way that I don't want to. The iconic question about this in the USA in the last few years has been the good Christian shopkeeper who does not wish to serve someone whose looks, behavior or beliefs they find offensive to their sensibilities. Compelling them to bake a cake, sell a pizza or take a picture for those they find offensive they claim IS persecution. Those Christians are not required to change beliefs, but to behave in a way they find difficult or offensive to themselves. That is what is supposed to happen to Christian folks.
In America especially there is a powerful group of Christians who would like to reverse this formula. They would like to reverse the persecution. They want to deny housing, jobs, benefits, and even basic services to people who they find offensive to their sensibilities. That is the opposite of who Jesus is and what Jesus explained. They may call themselves Christian, but they seem far removed for the Christ they claim to follow.
Hey, could we please be given honored positions near you when you get to be famous? They seemed to misunderstand what they were asking. They wanted positions of respect and Jesus shared with them what that really meant. You will have to go what I am going through to be respected like that. They said they were up for the pain. Jesus told them the sad news that even when they go through all that, it is not his call who gets the place of respect.
So about persecution. Good Christian folks - please stop whining about being persecuted. If you are doing it right, you ought to be persecuted. It is part of the deal. We are not supposed to be the majority and we are not suppose to persecute others. We are not supposed to suppress or oppress others. We are supposed to deal with the persecution without retaliation. And for goodness sake, stop looking for the reward and respect.
The other fellows in Jesus's group were pretty put out by these two angling for authority. Jesus tried to make it clear - the role of a good Christian is to serve others and not be the person in charge. Using a position of power to require others to conform and obey is antithetical to the gospel and the example of Jesus.
One more thing about persecution. When someone else has a different opinion from me, they are not persecuting me unless they try to make me believe or behave in a way that I don't want to. The iconic question about this in the USA in the last few years has been the good Christian shopkeeper who does not wish to serve someone whose looks, behavior or beliefs they find offensive to their sensibilities. Compelling them to bake a cake, sell a pizza or take a picture for those they find offensive they claim IS persecution. Those Christians are not required to change beliefs, but to behave in a way they find difficult or offensive to themselves. That is what is supposed to happen to Christian folks.
In America especially there is a powerful group of Christians who would like to reverse this formula. They would like to reverse the persecution. They want to deny housing, jobs, benefits, and even basic services to people who they find offensive to their sensibilities. That is the opposite of who Jesus is and what Jesus explained. They may call themselves Christian, but they seem far removed for the Christ they claim to follow.
Monday, August 7, 2017
About the yeast
Two things today.
The Yeast.
Just recently in the sequence of readings the story of the loaves and fishes was prominent followed by a later reading where the disciples were described as not understanding about those loaves and fishes.
So here we have an explanation about bread that they still don't understand. Using a metaphor with something right to hand, Jesus talks about yeast. Bread uses a small amount of yeast to make the dough rise. The small amount is worked through the whole bread and has an effect that seems oversized compared to the amount put into the loaf.
The yeast of the pharisees and Herod are both horrible for the people. But they are also the holders of the power in that time. We can take from this we ought to be careful of leadership that poisons rather than raises our culture, our people. Do your leaders - church, school, work, political - cause you to be better people; more loving; more peaceful; more like Jesus? If not, be careful of the cues you take from them. Cheating, stealing, and hating are all the opposite of what Jesus preached.
The Loaves
The 5 loaves and 2 fish used to feed 5000 left 12 baskets full. My theory: If one considers 12 to represent either the disciples or the tribes of Israel, then the small starting amount, is enough for all as long as we follow what Jesus said and share it out. Scarcity is a false notion we live in abundance and still hoard what we have. Also notice that 5 loaves and 2 fish makes 7 items of food.
The 7 loaves for 4000 that left over 7 baskets full is another metaphor. 7 represents the fullness of a thing. 7 days of Creation; 7 miles on the road to Emmaus; 77 the number of times we ought to forgive another; and so many other examples.
We already have all we need to care for everyone.
In fact when we do share we end up with more for all.
The Yeast.
Just recently in the sequence of readings the story of the loaves and fishes was prominent followed by a later reading where the disciples were described as not understanding about those loaves and fishes.
So here we have an explanation about bread that they still don't understand. Using a metaphor with something right to hand, Jesus talks about yeast. Bread uses a small amount of yeast to make the dough rise. The small amount is worked through the whole bread and has an effect that seems oversized compared to the amount put into the loaf.
The yeast of the pharisees and Herod are both horrible for the people. But they are also the holders of the power in that time. We can take from this we ought to be careful of leadership that poisons rather than raises our culture, our people. Do your leaders - church, school, work, political - cause you to be better people; more loving; more peaceful; more like Jesus? If not, be careful of the cues you take from them. Cheating, stealing, and hating are all the opposite of what Jesus preached.
The Loaves
The 5 loaves and 2 fish used to feed 5000 left 12 baskets full. My theory: If one considers 12 to represent either the disciples or the tribes of Israel, then the small starting amount, is enough for all as long as we follow what Jesus said and share it out. Scarcity is a false notion we live in abundance and still hoard what we have. Also notice that 5 loaves and 2 fish makes 7 items of food.
The 7 loaves for 4000 that left over 7 baskets full is another metaphor. 7 represents the fullness of a thing. 7 days of Creation; 7 miles on the road to Emmaus; 77 the number of times we ought to forgive another; and so many other examples.
We already have all we need to care for everyone.
In fact when we do share we end up with more for all.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
The sabbath is made for man
The sabbath is made for man
When I read about the sabbath being for man and not man for the sabbath I was struck by this idea. Some people who want to follow the bible desire that others do too, regardless of how the others feel about the bible.This particular passage would indicate that the zeal to follow the letter of the law is lacking in understanding. In fact following the letter of the law leads to thwarting the point of the law. The law is meant to help humans and not cripple them.
When considering any particular rule, old or new, consider the why of the rule and not just the what. In every case fall back to this for the final valuation. Jesus said we ought to love God and love others. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." These two bits that Jesus emphasized originate in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. They are ancient ideas that underlie everything else.
Is what I am doing and what I am saying loving others? If that is a genuine consideration, then I will worry less about me being offended and worry more about offending others and I am on my way to being a follower of Christ
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| Young people installing a box that will provide needed things to passersby without qualification. It is a blessing box. |
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