Sunday, February 28, 2010

You Have Heard

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Matthew 5:38-39

Those who know little about the Bible are still likely to know these verses, at least in their original, Old Testament form.[1] In fact, it can come as quite a shock to them when they are introduced to Jesus’ teaching which appears, at first glance, to be a total contradiction of the Law. Often, the phrase, “an eye for an eye” is used to justify some act of vengeance. A veneer of religiosity can, apparently, reduce guilt. The problem is that, even in the Law of Moses, these words were never intended to justify revenge. Those who use them in this way, asserting that some injury received requires injury in return, take a law that was intended to limit and turn it into a command to retaliate.

This interpretation is far from new. The original intention of the Law was to reduce the type of feuding that would become commonplace among the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s. The Law was an attempt to limit retaliation, not to encourage it. Once again, Jesus stresses the inner intention of the Law, not the legal niceties. He uses the same, characteristic hyperbole to overstate His case. Jesus discourages retaliation of any kind. In place of retaliation, Jesus advocates peace. We should not take His words lightly.

However, we should note that Jesus’ words do not advocate total pacifism or socialistic shared ownership. There is no suggestion that Jesus includes criminal acts within this remit. He seems to be speaking only of personal injury – the malice of a disgruntled neighbor, not the calculated evil of a terrorist, or the mass-murder of a totalitarian dictator. Some Christians take these words and apply them to international relations, but there is really no justification for doing so. There may be arguments to be made in support of Christian pacifism, but they cannot be made from this text. There is a world of difference between a decision not to ratchet up an argument, and a decision to appease Adolf Hitler. Faced with the inflated ego and the psychopathic tendencies of a Hitler, Jesus would surely have reminded us of our need to protect those who cannot protect themselves.[2] Once again, it is important not to build an interpretation of Scripture around isolated texts – that is the way taken by the cults. Our responsibility is to see Scripture as a whole, and to respond with intelligence, imagination, and love.

Merciful Savior,
Don’t let me escape from the plain meaning of the text.
In a world that is, too often, violent and cruel,
draw me back to the way of peace.
Make me more ready to forgive than to condemn.
Turn aside my anger.
Don’t let me be the accuser.
May I find my strength and my security in You alone.
Amen.

[1] Exodus 21:24
[2] Matthew 18:6

Saturday, February 27, 2010

“Yes” and “No”

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Matthew 5:37

In dealing with what the Law has to say about the making of oaths,[1] Jesus repeats His earlier teaching. It is not the letter of the Law that counts. This can always be misconstrued. Devious minds will always find ways to wriggle out of their responsibilities. What really matters is that the spirit of the Law should be written on our hearts. So, this passage is not a total prohibition of oaths, it is a command to live honestly, with integrity, as befits those who claim to live according to the values of the Kingdom of God.

There is a curious parallel in our own day. Often, usually in the context of sports, a person will promise to give “110%” to the cause. Of course, this is not possible. One may only give 100% of one’s energy. This has not prevented athletes, in particular, from claiming outrageous percentages of effort. Once the logical maximum has been superseded there is no natural limit to the claims of those who wish to impress. 110% quickly becomes 150%. Others begin to join in. It is not uncommon, now, to learn that some under-performing superstar is going to give 3,000% in his next game. It would be better, if less dramatic, for him simply to say that he will do his best.

Grandiose claims are, too often, followed by elaborate excuses for failure. In fact, failure is often simply re-interpreted as success. Victory is wrung from the ashes of defeat. Weasel words enable their users to demonstrate that black is actually white, and white, black. Language is diminished. Words lose their meaning. We begin to drown in grey sea of half-truths and distortions.

However, before we point the finger at others and smirk knowingly at the disingenuousness of sport stars or politicians, we must acknowledge that we are cut from the same cloth. We will do whatever we can to avoid admitting failure; we will make outlandish claims in order to look good. For all of us, Jesus has simple words of advice, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’

Lord Jesus,
Your truth is beautiful. I do not need to embellish it.
Your ways are just. I do not need to whitewash them.
Your peace is without equal. It needs no false comparisons.
Guard our lips, Lord. May they speak Your Word of truth:
nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
Amen.

[1] Deuteronomy 23:21-23

Friday, February 26, 2010

Oaths

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.”
Matthew 5:33-36

Those looking for a reason to disregard the claims of Christ have, sometimes, pointed to these verses. “Look!” they say. “Jesus contradicts the Bible! And if He can be shown to be wrong in one respect, then we are free to ignore Him.” At first, they appear to have a point. The Law allows the use of oaths, under certain circumstances.[1] God Himself confirmed a promise with an oath.[2] Indeed, there is even an instance of Jesus using an oath.[3] Is this just another example of the age-old problem – a teacher who says one thing then does exactly the opposite?

Whenever you encounter a problem like this, it is wise to remember that any text should be interpreted against the witness of the Bible as a whole. So, we must ask, is there any indication that Jesus was ever anything other than honest? The answer is, “No!” Therefore, the problem is not with the author of the words, but with our understanding of them.

Once again, Jesus is speaking out against self-serving interpretations of the Law. Leviticus teaches that God’s people are not to swear falsely.[4] This was understood to mean that, when invoking the name of the Lord, an oath must be true and a promise must be kept. Unfortunately, those who made a living out of inventing loopholes in the Law taught that an oath which did not invoke the Lord’s name did not need to be kept. As a result, Jews got into the habit of swearing by heaven, or earth, or God’s footstool, or Jerusalem, or even by their own heads. Sometimes these oaths were made falsely, that is, they were calculated to deceive. This is the misuse of oaths that is condemned by Jesus. God’s people are to live with integrity, they must not swear oaths that are flippant or deceptive. Effectively, these are still taking the Lord’s name in vain, since He is the author of all things. So, don’t try to make your words sound more authoritative by swearing on the Bible, or your Mother’s grave, or your child’s life. Just be honest. That is what the Lord requires.



Father God,
Forgive my too-familiar use of Your name,
my words that are too-easily spoken,
but which I can never take back.
Teach me to be silent when I have nothing to say.
Teach me to measure my words whenever I must speak.
Amen.

[1] Numbers 5:19,21
[2] Hebrews 6:13-18
[3] Matthew 26:63-64
[4] Leviticus 19:12

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Divorce

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”
Matthew 5:31-32

There is disagreement among scholars regarding the exact meaning of Jesus’ words regarding divorce. The problem is that they have to be seen against the background of the general prohibition of divorce under the Law of Moses, and the liberal interpretation which had become commonplace by the time of Christ. The Law forbade divorce except under the most extreme circumstances. It was punishable by death for the partner taken in adultery,[1] and only then was the remaining partner free to remarry. By the first century AD, the death penalty was no longer carried out, but its effect was still in force – only the innocent party was free to remarry. It was as if his or her spouse was actually dead. But if the original intention of the Law had been to protect marriage, by the time of Jesus, the scribes had interpreted the Law in such a way as to make divorce much more readily available. They made the Law say the opposite of what had been intended. As a result, women were getting a very raw deal. The interpretations were all written by men, so men benefitted. Men could, and did, divorce their wives on the slightest of pretexts, often leaving the “wife of their youth”[2] virtually destitute as they found a younger bride. Society was suffering as a result of widespread divorce. Jesus’ response was to emphasize the inner meaning of the Law, not just its legal application. Faithfulness is a matter of the heart, not of nominal adherence to an external decree.

With all this in mind, we need to be very careful not to apply Jesus’ words to our culture without first understanding their context. At the very least, there are several things that cannot be questioned. First, Jesus deplored divorce[3] and the destruction it caused. We have no good reason to question this belief. Second, the reason for this belief is clear: God’s design for human relationships is a lifelong, faithful commitment to the covenant of marriage. Rather than argue about its failure, perhaps we would do better to commend its benefits. But in all of this, we must not forget that our God is a God of forgiveness. Though we may fail, He is always ready to bring us to the place of repentance and restoration.

Heavenly Father,
Your faithfulness is a gift beyond measure.
Though we have played the fool and wandered far from Your paths,
You have kept faith with us and welcomed us home.
May our commitment to one another always reflect Your patience,
Your faithfulness, and Your love.
Amen.




[1] Leviticus 20:10
[2] Malachi 2:15
[3] Matthew 19:8-9

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Mortification of the Flesh

“If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell.”
Matthew 5:29-30

Job knew a great deal about the dangers of looking at temptation. “I have made a covenant with my eyes,” he said, “not to look lustfully at a girl.”[1] Job accepted that sin consisted not only in deeds but also in desires. He understood that a lustful look also needs to be confessed and brought under the judgment of God.

Jesus takes the matter further. He tells His disciples that, if the eyes are the source of our sin, then we should pluck them out! If our right hand leads us into temptation then we should cut it off! Later, in repeating the same advice, Jesus adds the feet that lead us to the places of sin.[2] How are we to understand Him?

Jesus did not mean His words to be taken literally. Some early Christians did, indeed, mutilate themselves in response to what they took to be a divine command, but the practice was soon outlawed. The problem is that we fail to see, and to appreciate, the idiom in which Jesus spoke. Aramaic, like Hebrew before it, is rich in hyperbole and dramatic figures of speech. Jesus was not talking about self-mutilation but about the mortification of the flesh. We are to respond to temptation by avoiding it, and by making sure that we do not lead others into sin. If we develop the habit of watching those things that will corrupt us, then we should remember that the eyes are the windows of the heart,[3] and we should act as though our eyes had been plucked out. If our feet are tempted to stray to places where we have no business being, then we should act as though our feet had been cut off. Jesus’ advice is really very simple: don’t look, don’t touch, don’t go! This is clearly appropriate for our generation. There may be many sources of temptation that we cannot avoid, but there are plenty of others that we can. To argue, as some do, that we need to be involved in our world, to read every new book and to see every new movie, is to ignore Jesus’ words. What is better, to be culturally disconnected, or to risk losing everything you hold dear? There are some aspects of modern culture that are diametrically opposed to the Gospel. Sometimes, the best way to be faithful is simply to avoid them.

Lord God,
Through the rocks and snares and quicksands, keep me safe.
When danger threatens on every side, keep me close.
By Your Spirit, fill me to overflowing,
so that there will be room for nothing and no one else,
save Christ my Lord.
Amen.

[1] Job 31:1
[2] Matthew 18:8,9
[3] Mark 7:20-23

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Adultery of the Heart

“You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28

Human imagination is a wonderful gift. It is one of the gifts that distinguish us from the animal kingdom. We have the capacity to dream. Surely, this is God-given? We may dream of childbirth without pain or of engines that will fly, and our dreams are stepping stones of creativity. Without imagination, our lives would be bland and repetitive. We are blessed to be able to dream.

However, as with every other gift from above, dreams can be dangerous. Unless we exercise God’s gifts responsibly, the blessing can soon become a curse. The so-called seven deadly sins are a good example. Every sin is the corruption of something good: appetite becomes gluttony, confidence becomes pride, love becomes lust. This is exactly what happens when we indulge in adultery of the heart.

Jesus widens the application of the sixth commandment by teaching that unrighteous anger falls under the same condemnation as murder. He deals with the seventh commandment in exactly the same way. The scribes and Pharisees interpreted “You shall not commit adultery” in a very narrow way. Jesus broadens its scope. To have the Law written on one’s heart is to know that a truly lustful look is, essentially, no better than an immoral act. Both are condemned. This is obviously a word for today. Society seems to be insatiable in its desire for sexual imagery. Advertisers take full advantage of the attraction of the risqué. Sex sells magazines. Movies and TV dramas pump their story-lines full of illicit relationships. As we watch, our imaginations are corrupted.

Admiration for beauty is one thing; adultery of the heart is another. Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. If we allow our imaginations to be fed by sights that lie beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable in the Kingdom of God, then we should not be surprised when our imaginations get us into trouble, and we fall. It is better not to look at all.

Father God,
I praise You for the good things in life,
for the food upon my table,
for the company of friends,
for the lifelong companionship of the one I love the most.
Help me to honor these gifts by living faithfully.
May every other attraction fade as I fix my eyes on Jesus.
Amen.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Put Things Right

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Matthew 5:23-26

Jesus gives two illustrations of the need to act quickly to put things right. In both, He assumes that we are in the wrong. His point is clear – you may argue over the finer points of the Law, if you like, but it still applies, and if you know that you are in the wrong, don’t spend forever making excuses, because you will only make matters worse. Instead, act swiftly. Follow the spirit of the Law. Put things right.

Both illustrations use situations that would have been very familiar to Jesus’ listeners. The first involves a man who suddenly remembers a disagreement with a brother just as he is about to present a sacrifice in the temple. There may be an element of humor in the description. What do the listeners think will happen to the animals or birds brought for sacrifice, if the owner suddenly abandons them as he goes to apologize? Jesus is pointing out that the Law that is written on our hearts directs that we do the most important thing first, no matter how inconvenient. If we have had a dispute with a brother, we may be in the middle of worship when it suddenly comes to mind, but it doesn’t matter. As soon as we possibly can, we should do whatever is necessary in order to put things right.

The second example transfers this principle from a brother to an adversary. If we have had a dispute with someone and are being taken to court, we would do well to settle the affair as quickly as possible, without going before a judge, or we will suffer the consequences. The implication is that, not only will the judge take a dim view of our behavior, but so will God.

There is to be urgency about our actions as we seek to reconcile with one another, or as we try to make amends. So often, this is not the way of the world. Disputes drag on for years and infect entire generations. Sometimes, arguments are perpetuated long after the original parties are dead and buried. On occasion, the reasons for the dispute are long forgotten. This is not to be so among us. Nothing is gained by delaying. Don’t put off until tomorrow what conscience requires should be done today.

Father God,
You are not hesitant in offering forgiveness.
You don’t keep me waiting, just because I deserve it.
Your love is urgent; Your compassion has wings.
I do not need to wait in order to know Your mercy.
May those whom I have wronged not need to wait for me.
Amen.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Murder

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Matthew 5:21-22

Jesus came, not to destroy the Law, but to deepen its demands upon our lives. Take, for example, the sixth commandment, “You shall not kill.”[1] What does it mean for us to have this commandment written upon our hearts? Jesus demonstrates that it is possible to reinterpret this commandment without diminishing it. When it is understood as more than a legal prohibition, the sixth commandment becomes a value of the Kingdom that is governed by grace.

The sixth commandment was never intended as a total prohibition of the taking of human life. After all, the same Law of Moses also requires the death penalty in certain circumstances.[2] In effect, “You shall not kill,” really means, “You shall not commit murder.” There may be times when the taking of life will be justifiable, for example, in order to secure the lives of the innocent during a time of war. But what can never be justified, in God’s sight, is the taking of the life of another for personal gain. We may defend ourselves and our loved ones, because all life is precious, but God’s people cannot be murderers.

There are, however, ways to murder people that don’t involve blood. We can murder someone’s reputation by spreading lies about them. We can murder their self-confidence by constantly putting them down. We can destroy their future by subjecting them to a daily barrage of abuse. These actions are not, strictly speaking, condemned by the sixth commandment, but as interpreted by Jesus, they are clearly wrong.

We do not really know what the insults mean that Jesus identifies as being unacceptable. “Raca” seems to refer to a person’s intelligence, like calling someone “empty-headed.” “Fool” (more in the Greek), may be a transliteration of an Aramaic word meaning “apostate.” It appears to mean “You scoundrel!” Certainly, it cannot be the same word as the one Jesus used to describe the Pharisees.[3] But whatever the terms actually mean, Jesus’ intentions are clear. Those who belong to God are to have nothing to do with character assassination.

This is a word that many of us need to hear. We slip, too easily, into the ways of the world. Our words become weapons. We forget the winsome loveliness of Jesus. But, as Christians, we cannot afford to forget.

Lord Jesus,
Hold me to a higher standard.
Don’t let me forget Your commands.
Don’t let me ever say, “At least I didn’t do this, or that.”
There, but for Your grace, go I.
Instead, strengthen me by Your Spirit.
Write Your Law upon my heart.
Amen.

[1] Exodus 20:13
[2] Exodus 21:14
[3] Matthew 23:17

Fulfilling the Law

“Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:19-20

Having seen that Christ did not come to abolish the Law, and that we have the responsibility to seek to live according to its precepts, what does it mean to say that the Law has been fulfilled? Are there parts of the Law that do not apply? Frankly, yes. Although the principles enshrined in the Ten Commandments are timeless, there are some aspects of the Jewish Law that do not apply today. Believers no longer need to be circumcised; no longer are we required to offer animal sacrifices; we are not condemned when we fail to observe the Jewish Sabbath. In these, and in many other ways, the Law has been fulfilled and is now superseded.

The ceremonial aspects of the Law no longer apply because Christ, the sacrificial Lamb, has been offered, once for all. No further sacrifice is necessary. Jesus paid it all, so the whole corpus of ceremonial Law has been fulfilled. In the same way, the national aspects of the Law have been superseded. The special relationship with the people of Israel has been replaced with the New Israel, the Christian church. The Law is no longer restricted to a particular ethnic or national group in the Near East. Now, people from every tribe and tongue belong to the Kingdom because of their shared allegiance to the King. Ceremonies linked to the land, therefore, no longer apply or, rather, they have a much wider application. We no longer need to bring our firstfruits to the temple in Jerusalem, but we offer a sacrifice of praise in hundreds of languages, in sanctuaries large and small, in every corner of the globe. We no longer celebrate the seventh day as set aside to the Lord, instead we gather to praise our God on Resurrection Day. The Law has been superseded, but the spirit of the Law remains.

Many years ago, the prophet Jeremiah looked forward to a day when a new covenant would be made between God and His people.[1] Instead of an external rulebook, God’s Law would be written on their hearts. This prophecy has been fulfilled in the new people of God, the church. The Law is no longer an external force, it is an internal compulsion, and it begins and ends in the limitless love of God.[2]

Lord God,
I am so grateful for the sacrifice of my Savior,
by which I am set free from the Law’s demands.
I see that, by myself, in my own strength,
I could never hope to satisfy the Law.
But You could, and You did, through the blood of Jesus.
Now, Your Law is no longer a demand, it is my delight.
Amen.

[1] Jeremiah 31:33
[2] John 14:15

Breaking the Law

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
Matthew 5:17-18

There have always been those who say, “Jesus has taken the punishment for my sins. I am no longer under condemnation. I can do what I like. I know that God will forgive me!” Paul faced the same issue in writing to the Romans.[1] His response mirrored Jesus’. In no way is the Law nullified. In fact, the Good News of salvation by grace, through faith, sets us free to obey the Law. We are saved by grace, by God’s unmerited favor, not by our efforts in keeping the Law. Yet, having been saved by grace we are to strive to obey the Law, not as the root but as the fruit of our salvation.

By “the Law” Jesus means the body of biblical commandments that governed the life of a devout Jew. He did not mean the interpretations of the Law that determined, for example, how far one could walk on the Sabbath before it became work. Jesus is much more interested in the great principles of the Law as enshrined, for example, in the Ten Commandments. It is not possible for Christians to assume that, because Christ has fulfilled the Law, we do not need to respect the property or the lives of others. Christians have no business getting involved in the deeds of darkness: apostasy, adultery, murder, and theft. The Law still applies. Our salvation does not depend upon our keeping of the Law, but if we do not keep it then we demonstrate that we are not really serious when we claim Jesus as Lord. A standard applies to our conduct. We should strive to live according to that standard. And the standard is the Law.

How many poor choices do we attempt to excuse by saying, “But I’m under Grace, not Law!” Often, the excuse is simply an attempt to cover up our failure to live according to the values of the Kingdom. Of course, we are under grace, not law. Not one of us could stand without the imputed righteousness of Christ. But we are not saved in order that we may ignore God’s commands. We are saved so that, in simple gratitude, we might live to please Him.

So, the Law has not been abolished. It may have been superseded in certain respects, but it still reflects the character and will of God. If we are to be salt and light we must do our best to reflect the precepts of God’s Law.

Father,
For the times when I have presumed upon Your love – forgive me.
For the times when I have chosen to ignore the clear warnings of Scripture,
and have suffered the consequences – forgive me.
Teach me how to pay fitting respect for Your Law.
In all things may my character be modeled on the character of Christ.
Amen.

[1] Romans 3:31

Thursday, February 18, 2010

The Light of the World

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16

Darkness is something we rarely experience in our modern, urban world. Our ancestors knew the terror of the night, when every breaking twig became an imagined threat and the moaning of the wind sent shivers down every spine. Nowadays, it is difficult to escape from the light. The clouds reflect the city’s glow. Even in the countryside, passing cars make the world as bright as day, even if only for a moment. But those who heard Jesus knew the value of the light, just as they knew the dangers of the darkness.

Jesus came as the Light of the world,[1] as the One who had been sent to those dwelling in darkness.[2] Those who chose to follow Him moved out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of Light.[3] They were charged to bear witness to the Light, and to share that Light in a world still shrouded in darkness. That is our task, too! We are to so live out the values of the Kingdom that others will be drawn to Christ. We are the light of the world, not just because we reflect Christ, but because we share in His glory.

We are to be like a city set on a hill. Perhaps Jesus was thinking of Jerusalem, the bright light of the Jewish people, set on Zion’s hill? Or, perhaps, Jesus merely used an illustration familiar to those who lived in First Century Palestine. A city, raised above the plain brings light and security. It cannot be hidden. In the same way, we are to be like a lamp in the home, which one would certainly not place beneath a bowl. The purpose of a lamp is to illumine. The purpose of God’s people is to bring light where there is none, to expose the deeds of darkness, [4] and to lift up the Kingdom of God.

Once again, we should note the clear distinction between those who follow Christ and those who do not. We tend to think in shades of grey. We minimize our differences in order to attract others. This is a mistake. Our world represents the darkness because so many in it have lost their moral compass. In their confusion they call evil good. They live by their own lights, which are really not lights at all. In such a world, it is our responsibility to hold fast to Jesus, and to live as those who have been redeemed.

Lord Jesus,
Shine in me.
Burn away the blemishes that disfigure my witness.
Let me live for You alone.
Then, let me shine – not for my glory, but for Yours.
Like a city on a hill,
as a lamp upon a stand,
may I shine for You.
Amen.

[1] John 8:12
[2] Matthew 4:16
[3] Colossians 1:12-13
[4] Ephesians 5:8-14

The Salt of the Earth

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13

Pliny, the Roman historian, once wrote that there is nothing more useful than “salt and sunshine.” It was a play on words. In Latin, salt and sunshine are sale et sole. Nevertheless, Pliny had a point. A home without sunshine would be an unwelcoming place; a table without salt would be equally dreary. Jesus makes the same point. Those who live according to the values of the Kingdom of God, for whom the Beatitudes form a framework for living, must be salt and light in their communities.

We may be surprised to hear this. After all, the attitudes of meekness and mercy, purity and peace, which characterize the Beatitudes, are not normally found in those who set out to change the world. In fact, it is even more surprising that Jesus calls His disciples “the salt of the earth.” Would it not be easier for them to avoid all contamination, to escape from the world instead of trying to change it? It might be easier, but it would not be faithful. This raggle-taggle band of Jewish peasants is charged with making a difference. So are we.

Followers of Christ are to be “salt”.[1] What does this mean? In Jesus’ day, salt had two main uses – to flavor food, and to preserve it. Some commentators suggest that Christians must bring flavor to their communities by encouraging them in good deeds and right living. Christians, it is said, must be activists, bringing out the best in people, initiating meaningful change, speaking out for the poor and the oppressed. This is undoubtedly true, but it is probably not what this text means.

Jesus is saying that it is our responsibility to prevent societal decay, to preserve society by our influence for good. This will not necessarily make us popular, at least in the short term, but it is an essential element in the work of the people of God. Wherever there is cruelty or exploitation, the church must speak out. Wherever folly masquerades as faithfulness, the church must speak out. But we will do this, primarily, by being different, by seeking to be more like Jesus. If we lose that difference, if our saltiness loses its flavor, then we will have failed.

Are we different? Are we really Christlike? Is it obvious that the church is a different society, governed by very different rules, owing ultimate allegiance only to God? Or, are we far too anxious to blend in?



Lord God,
Forgive my easy appeasement of evil,
my accommodation of the things of this world.
Draw me back to Yourself.
Make my discipleship real.
So shall I be salt in this decaying world.
Amen.

[1] Mark 9:50

Lent Devotional - Introduction

Introduction

Come with me, during the weeks of Lent, to sit at the feet of Jesus and to listen, once again, to the timeless treasures of the Sermon on the Mount. Take time out, every day, to find a quiet place where you can read and pray.

This will be the second year that we will have dealt with Jesus’ most famous sermon. Last year, we spent five weeks working our way through the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). Those studies are still available on line, by the way, if you missed them. If you go to you will find them, beginning on February 8, 2009. This year, we complete the journey. It is a spiritual discipline that can only help us.

The Sermon on the Mount is more than a collection of platitudes; it is a manifesto for the Kingdom of God. Jesus deals, authoritatively, with a number of different subjects. Almost all of them have practical application:
· What is Christian character?
· What is the place of the Law in the Christian life?
· How can I exhibit the values of the Kingdom in my daily life?
· How should I pray?
· How should I relate to others?

By His words, Jesus shows us how Christians are called to create an alternative society, based on different values. The world, He seems to say, is bound to behave badly, because it is under the sway of sin; but this is how you are to live.

One of the key themes of the Sermon on the Mount is obedience. If we listen to His voice, if we allow the Spirit to teach us, and if we subject our will to His, then we do more than engage in Bible Study, we change our world.

May the Lord bless us as we gather around His Word, and as we leave to serve in the name of Christ.





Alan Trafford
First Presbyterian Church

Lent 2010

Sheroes

Now, I know that I live a somewhat cloistered life, (or so I've been told), but it amazes me to find out that I have been blissfully unaware of a complete category of human being. I refer to the superwomen known as 'Sheroes.'

Earlier today I was driving home, listening to a mind-numbingly dull discussion on PBS about some new play or other. Members of the cast were being interviewed. One of them, in particular, was gushing, almost to the point of incoherence, about the merits of this masterpiece. There were knowing murmurs of assent as she spoke about the importance of the 'sheroes' highlighted in the play. At this point I began to listen. I'd never heard of sheroes. I assumed she was merely slurring her speech in her excitement, or that she'd had a little too much Sssauvignon Blanc with her lunssch, but I was wrong. She used the term several times. So, instead of reading the news at lunchtime, I did a little investigating.

Apparently, Maya Angelou coined the term 'sheroes.' It is meant to describe a lady who is both an exemplar of feminine strength as well as a role model and a source of inspiration. So far so good.

Then, I came across a learned work by Varla Ventura (someone else I've never heard of) entitled 'Sheroes: Bold, Brash, (and Absolutely Unabashed) Superwomen from Susan B. Anthony to Xena.' This book explains everything in chapters bearing such exciting titles as: 'Warriorsheroes - Amazons among us,' 'Ecosheroes - Saving Mother Earth,' and, my favorite, 'Polisheroes - Stormin' the Halls of Power' (as opposed to polishing the corridors of power, I assume).


Then, to my amazement, I discovered that the United Church of Christ has produced children's educational materials in its 'Media Awareness Network.' These lessons, based upon a book called 'Media Violence: Pulling the Plug on the Power Myth,' teach grade school children the importance of identifying sheroes who are worthy of one's respect and regard. Good for them. Knowing the UCC, I suspect that few of these sheroes will have much time for conventional morality, they will be much too busy tearing down the bastions of male privilege and prejudice.

Be that as it may, I now consider myself to be educated. I will no longer abuse the language by applying a gender-neutral word to those women whom I admire for having done something particularly worthy. I will refuse to demean women by describing them with a word that sounds like they might be 'he's' and not 'she's'. I just have one question - what shall I do with that lovely old word - 'heroine'? Is that to be discarded, too?