Tax Collectors
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:46-48
Did Matthew wince as he recorded these words? Jesus holds up tax collectors as examples of those who have given in to compromise but are still capable of doing good. It is a backhanded compliment. The illustration does not praise tax collectors, it simply points out that even they may have redeeming qualities. Did Matthew permit himself a wry smile? After all, he had been a tax collector.[1]
During the period of the Roman occupation, tax collectors were appointed from among the local, Jewish population to act on behalf of the Roman authorities. They were, therefore, guilty of cooperating with the oppressors, if nothing else. They were the Vichy of their day, the collaborators who did the Romans’ dirty work for them, oppressing their fellow Jews in the process. Unfortunately, that wasn’t all that they did. Tax collectors were also known for their corrupt practices – skimming off money to line their own pockets, collecting taxes that would never make it to Rome. As a result, tax collectors were almost universally hated,[2] except by members of their own families.
Jesus points out that even the tax collectors, the worst members of society, are still capable of loving those who love them. So, shouldn’t Christians do more? Shouldn’t we love those who do not love us? Shouldn’t we be prepared to greet those who are not our brothers? Of course we should. We should strive to be perfect, which is what the Law demands. As Christians, we should satisfy the Law perfectly. Isn’t this an impossible dream?
If we set out to obey the letter of the Law, then we shall certainly fail. And if we are depending upon our perfection to win our salvation, then we are bound for disappointment. We may do our best to keep the Law, but our best will not be enough. On the other hand, if we trust the One who directs us to the spirit of the Law, then we can obey it perfectly, not because we are perfect, but because He is. The Law remains a perfect standard, because it is set by our perfect God. Yet we do not need to be afraid, for Christ has met this standard for us.[3]
Righteous God,
I do not ask You to lower Your standards to make me acceptable.
I do not ask You to overlook the many ways in which I have failed You
and broken Your Law.
All I can do is to claim the merits of Your Son,
for He is perfect, even when I am not.
And I am bold to believe that He died for me.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment