Although in my current studies I am really trying to focus on what Jesus is doing - and how I can apply that to my own life - I frequently do think of those around him: those listening, those being healed, and those opposing him. There are ways in which it is easier to relate.
It's not just that there are very specific differences when you are the only begotten Son of God, but in the time that we are seeing, Jesus is on a relatively brief and concentrated mission. I have been a missionary, and it is different. There were things I planned to keep going in my regular life, but that level of focus is special and not generally possible.
Luke 3
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
This is not from Jesus, but from John. However, Jesus endorsed John pretty clearly; I feel okay referencing it.
I like the specific examples as asked. There is a general counsel for sharing and generosity: Be aware of the needs around you, and don't hoard. That is a good starting point for anyone.
But then, as specific people ask, it can be tailored.
Because of their positions, publicans and soldiers had specific temptations to abuse the system and the people caught up in it. Often this would be a way of accumulating wealth, so the prior counsel remains applicable.
On a broader note, there should be an ethical and moral way to fulfill your job. It can be good to think about your specific job, and how that either supports or undercuts the greater good.
In the past two posts we have talked about people asking to forsake all. That will sometimes be the right answer, but it is more common to still be engaged with the world, and to need to earn a living. It may be a manner of labor that others look down on, but can you do it in an honorable manner? Then there is no shame in that.
After all, John knew about preparing the way. There may be a day when you cast aside your nets, but until that time there is still great benefit in using your nets honorably.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Trying to be like Jesus - inspiring
I suppose the most important part (for me) of seeing a form of personalization in each interaction is the story of the Syrophenician woman.
Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:1-23
It doesn't sound great on its own, and racism is a hot button for me. Usually the best explanations I hear are that the word he used for "dog" was for beloved pets, but street curs, with a reminder that she took his analogy and extended it. He did have a short amount of time to accomplish a lot, and that specific mission was focused on the House of Israel.
That could make sense if the healing took considerable time or resources, though there is really no indication of that. If we look at it as Jesus being unwilling to heal the daughter because it was outside of his mission, but then relenting, it could also make sense, but I don't believe he ever intended to withhold the healing. He knew what he could and should do, and what he shouldn't, and was very committed to his mission. If there were a reason not to heal, I believe he would not have done it.
Looking at it in that light, his engagement with the woman is more likely about her, and building her faith.
It is possible she saw Jesus as someone with a special gift, but not as the son of God. There exchange may have given her a better understanding of who he was. It is also possible that she was already a believer, or starting to be, but because she was not going to have a real community of faith for some time she was going to need some determination, and she was learning this. It could have been her way of learning the need for persistence, whereas others would learn by pondering the parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8).
Ultimately I trust this incident to have been designed for her good, because I trust Jesus to be constantly working for our good. I also trust him not to be racist, while fully understanding that there are people who have and continue to justify their racism scripturally.
The part that is missing from the scriptural account is what he knew about each person. Sometimes we can guess, especially if something sounds familiar to our own hearts, but there is a lot that we don't know and that at the time his disciples probably did not know. When endeavoring to serve the Lord, our own lack of knowledge can feel like a horrible handicap.
There are two stories that are easy to compare that may give us some clues.
One is that sometimes it may be best not to give all of the information right away. This happens with the rich young ruler.
"Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
That Jesus not only gives the basic commandments but asks "Why callest thou me good?" gives the young man an out. You know the basics, and you are doing them. And Jesus loved him for that! It was not judgmental.
But asked for an additional diagnosis - because even doing well the young ruler sensed there was more - Jesus answered honestly. It wasn't an answer for everyone, because not everyone has to give everything away. That Jesus could ask the young ruler to follow him shows that this person had great possibilities. In fact, his riches were a stumbling block.
Realistically, it appears to have been one he could have waited to face. Some people grow more attached to their wealth over time, but he could also have learned more perspective over the next few years. There is a part of me that thinks that if you have a chance to do something great, go for it, but sometimes you may need to grow more. In addition to having some patience with ourselves (balanced with a desire to do what is right), we should have compassion on others. Raise them up, but don't pull them harder than would be good for them. Sometimes you don't have to do very much.
That brings us to the story of Zacchaeus, one of my favorites. All Jesus asked for was dinner, but it was more than that. He saw someone, and he saw potential and called him by name. The request was small, but the inspiration was great. On his own there was a giving away of many riches, some as charity, some as recompense for prior wrongs. Others judged, but Jesus called and rejoiced.
Even with our limited wisdom, we can see others, appreciate their current good, and hope for their future good.
It starts with just looking to see.
Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:1-23
It doesn't sound great on its own, and racism is a hot button for me. Usually the best explanations I hear are that the word he used for "dog" was for beloved pets, but street curs, with a reminder that she took his analogy and extended it. He did have a short amount of time to accomplish a lot, and that specific mission was focused on the House of Israel.
That could make sense if the healing took considerable time or resources, though there is really no indication of that. If we look at it as Jesus being unwilling to heal the daughter because it was outside of his mission, but then relenting, it could also make sense, but I don't believe he ever intended to withhold the healing. He knew what he could and should do, and what he shouldn't, and was very committed to his mission. If there were a reason not to heal, I believe he would not have done it.
Looking at it in that light, his engagement with the woman is more likely about her, and building her faith.
It is possible she saw Jesus as someone with a special gift, but not as the son of God. There exchange may have given her a better understanding of who he was. It is also possible that she was already a believer, or starting to be, but because she was not going to have a real community of faith for some time she was going to need some determination, and she was learning this. It could have been her way of learning the need for persistence, whereas others would learn by pondering the parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8).
Ultimately I trust this incident to have been designed for her good, because I trust Jesus to be constantly working for our good. I also trust him not to be racist, while fully understanding that there are people who have and continue to justify their racism scripturally.
The part that is missing from the scriptural account is what he knew about each person. Sometimes we can guess, especially if something sounds familiar to our own hearts, but there is a lot that we don't know and that at the time his disciples probably did not know. When endeavoring to serve the Lord, our own lack of knowledge can feel like a horrible handicap.
There are two stories that are easy to compare that may give us some clues.
One is that sometimes it may be best not to give all of the information right away. This happens with the rich young ruler.
"Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
That Jesus not only gives the basic commandments but asks "Why callest thou me good?" gives the young man an out. You know the basics, and you are doing them. And Jesus loved him for that! It was not judgmental.
But asked for an additional diagnosis - because even doing well the young ruler sensed there was more - Jesus answered honestly. It wasn't an answer for everyone, because not everyone has to give everything away. That Jesus could ask the young ruler to follow him shows that this person had great possibilities. In fact, his riches were a stumbling block.
Realistically, it appears to have been one he could have waited to face. Some people grow more attached to their wealth over time, but he could also have learned more perspective over the next few years. There is a part of me that thinks that if you have a chance to do something great, go for it, but sometimes you may need to grow more. In addition to having some patience with ourselves (balanced with a desire to do what is right), we should have compassion on others. Raise them up, but don't pull them harder than would be good for them. Sometimes you don't have to do very much.
That brings us to the story of Zacchaeus, one of my favorites. All Jesus asked for was dinner, but it was more than that. He saw someone, and he saw potential and called him by name. The request was small, but the inspiration was great. On his own there was a giving away of many riches, some as charity, some as recompense for prior wrongs. Others judged, but Jesus called and rejoiced.
Even with our limited wisdom, we can see others, appreciate their current good, and hope for their future good.
It starts with just looking to see.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Trying to be like Jesus - potential followers
Mark 5
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
We already covered how Jesus instructing someone to tell others, rather than not to tell, was different, but in this case it made sense: the healing was known, and it scared people. The testimony of the healed man could then show the good of the event, especially for his friends. Retelling the story would also solidify the significance in his mind.
Having something to do may have made the separation from Jesus less painful. I can empathize with the desire to stay close to the person who saved you, but it also makes sense that after having been through so much, this is a good time for the recently possessed man to rest. Journeying and throngs and condemnation from the Pharisees would probably not be the ideal recuperation period for him. It did not mean his desire to follow was not sincere, but it might not have been wise. There were still other means of service open to him, and Jesus gave him one that was appropriate and helpful.
In that light, dismissals that at first seem harsh may turn out to be kind.
Luke 9
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
This was a man who had called fishermen at their nets and a publican at his table to follow him, but they were people who were ready. It seems likely these other people were not ready, even if their desire to be ready was real.
The great healer was a great diagnostician. That is logical. His insight and wisdom can be hard for us to emulate, weaker and less perfect as we are, but there are things we can learn.
For these three examples, perhaps it is there in their request to follow him. Two of them build delays into their offers. Perhaps their answer isn't even so much "No" as a warning about the level of commitment required.
You can come, but you will be homeless. You can come, but you will be separated from your family, and not available to fulfill responsibilities to them. There can be room to either decide to skip the burial and the goodbyes, or to legitimately decide that they are not ready yet. Maybe someone who was more ready would have said "goodbye" first, before offering himself as a follower.
Through it all there is a desire for the best outcome for the person and a knowledge of what that will be.
Luke 14: 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
I recently kept putting off starting one project, eventually realizing that I was not ready for the time commitment. I did not immediately know why it felt wrong, and I know that I will get to it at a more appropriate time. Desire and ability do not always mesh, but there is always something we can do to grow, and there is someone who knows what we can and should do.
There are two good examples of this that I will save for next week.
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
We already covered how Jesus instructing someone to tell others, rather than not to tell, was different, but in this case it made sense: the healing was known, and it scared people. The testimony of the healed man could then show the good of the event, especially for his friends. Retelling the story would also solidify the significance in his mind.
Having something to do may have made the separation from Jesus less painful. I can empathize with the desire to stay close to the person who saved you, but it also makes sense that after having been through so much, this is a good time for the recently possessed man to rest. Journeying and throngs and condemnation from the Pharisees would probably not be the ideal recuperation period for him. It did not mean his desire to follow was not sincere, but it might not have been wise. There were still other means of service open to him, and Jesus gave him one that was appropriate and helpful.
In that light, dismissals that at first seem harsh may turn out to be kind.
Luke 9
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
This was a man who had called fishermen at their nets and a publican at his table to follow him, but they were people who were ready. It seems likely these other people were not ready, even if their desire to be ready was real.
The great healer was a great diagnostician. That is logical. His insight and wisdom can be hard for us to emulate, weaker and less perfect as we are, but there are things we can learn.
For these three examples, perhaps it is there in their request to follow him. Two of them build delays into their offers. Perhaps their answer isn't even so much "No" as a warning about the level of commitment required.
You can come, but you will be homeless. You can come, but you will be separated from your family, and not available to fulfill responsibilities to them. There can be room to either decide to skip the burial and the goodbyes, or to legitimately decide that they are not ready yet. Maybe someone who was more ready would have said "goodbye" first, before offering himself as a follower.
Through it all there is a desire for the best outcome for the person and a knowledge of what that will be.
Luke 14: 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
I recently kept putting off starting one project, eventually realizing that I was not ready for the time commitment. I did not immediately know why it felt wrong, and I know that I will get to it at a more appropriate time. Desire and ability do not always mesh, but there is always something we can do to grow, and there is someone who knows what we can and should do.
There are two good examples of this that I will save for next week.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Trying to be like Jesus - time to heal
I mentioned last week that for the man blind from birth, as he had not requested the healing, perhaps him having to go do something and having that time period in between was important for him. If nothing else, it gave him something to do, which can be important for building faith. Having time to process things could also be important.
I was also thinking that his core mission was spiritual healing. If he had not given a single physical blessing, all of those issues are still resolved in the resurrection. One might think that seeing the miracles could build faith, but overall it was clear that was not the case. Miracles drew complaints and criticisms and plots to kill him and Lazarus toward the end. It would have been easy to never do one, except that he had compassion, and he knew the healing power of faith.
In that light, there are two things that come to mind.
It was common for Jesus to command those healed not to tell other people, though it was equally common for it to get around. Given how the Pharisees felt about him, that directive made sense, but he was able to escape them when he needed to. I suspect it was more for the recipient of the healing. I suspect it was a directive for inward reflection: take some time to ponder this and keep it in your heart.
Yesterday I happened to read of the casting out of the legion of demons in Gadara, and this was the exception to the rule:
"Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." (Mark 5:19)
Of course, everyone already knew about that healing. It had frightened people and they were asking Jesus to leave. But go, and share with your friends about compassion and mercy and take time to heal because you have been through a hard time. (We will spend a little time on that next week.)
While the goal of this series has been to learn from the example set by Jesus, it is perhaps inevitable that often I identify more with those around him. Whether a spiritual experience is related to a relief of suffering or not, there is an exertion. Taking time to recover and gain a better understanding of it is important. Maybe you will share it, but that can go better as your comprehension of what happened and how and why it could happen increases.
It is still possible to learn from Jesus, and that comes back to this theme of seeing individuals and their needs.
The women healed with the issue of blood needed to know that it was her faith that led to her healing. Yes, the grace of Jesus was important, but it was her faith that allows that grace to act in her life. Stopping and identifying her made that more than a physical healing, regardless of how transforming the physical healing was.
For the father of the child with the unclean spirit...
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9)
Belief is necessary, and the father both felt that he had some, and that he needed more. That he came asking for help showed that he already had some faith, but he was learning to have more.
What becomes most important to me here is that there are times when Jesus might appear harsh to some, but because I believe in his kindness and mercy I believe there are good reasons that we might not understand.
We know the man blind from birth was not blind because of sin, but for the paralytic lowered in through the roof, it appears that there were, or that at least there were sins that had been a concern. So when Jesus says "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew 9:2), it is a comfort. And then he tells him to go home, because he will need time to ponder.
When he tells the man at Bethesda "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" that does not sound quite as comforting. Since the first thing the man did upon learning the identity of Jesus was rat him out, that may be a clue to his character. (John 5)
When Jesus allows a woman to weep over his feet and does not speak to her for some time, that can seem insensitive. It can work as a teaching moment for those at dinner with him, that he will not shrink from the touch of a sinner, and for a lesson on forgiveness and love, but still, is seems odd not to immediately say something to her. (Luke 7)
And I can think that, but I can also remember times when I was so overcome with sadness that I literally could not speak, and people trying to get me to open up were just putting more pressure on me, no matter how well-intentioned they were. Putting an arm around me would have been the limit of attention that I could bear, and even that would have been a lot of pressure.
In that case, to give her time, to let her serve him and express herself in the way that she was prepared for, may have been the most sensitive and caring thing possible. I don't doubt that she was in pain, but that was already there. If he had turned to her to early and cut her time short, that may have hurt worse.
Then, after she has had a chance to pour out what was inside in the way that felt most possible to her - something that can leave you feeling very empty but is necessary - then he could turn to her and say:
"Thy sins are forgiven... Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."
Then she could go forth, understanding that her faith mattered, and that her love mattered, and peace could be a possibility for her, which had probably appeared impossible before she came.
I was also thinking that his core mission was spiritual healing. If he had not given a single physical blessing, all of those issues are still resolved in the resurrection. One might think that seeing the miracles could build faith, but overall it was clear that was not the case. Miracles drew complaints and criticisms and plots to kill him and Lazarus toward the end. It would have been easy to never do one, except that he had compassion, and he knew the healing power of faith.
In that light, there are two things that come to mind.
It was common for Jesus to command those healed not to tell other people, though it was equally common for it to get around. Given how the Pharisees felt about him, that directive made sense, but he was able to escape them when he needed to. I suspect it was more for the recipient of the healing. I suspect it was a directive for inward reflection: take some time to ponder this and keep it in your heart.
Yesterday I happened to read of the casting out of the legion of demons in Gadara, and this was the exception to the rule:
"Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." (Mark 5:19)
Of course, everyone already knew about that healing. It had frightened people and they were asking Jesus to leave. But go, and share with your friends about compassion and mercy and take time to heal because you have been through a hard time. (We will spend a little time on that next week.)
While the goal of this series has been to learn from the example set by Jesus, it is perhaps inevitable that often I identify more with those around him. Whether a spiritual experience is related to a relief of suffering or not, there is an exertion. Taking time to recover and gain a better understanding of it is important. Maybe you will share it, but that can go better as your comprehension of what happened and how and why it could happen increases.
It is still possible to learn from Jesus, and that comes back to this theme of seeing individuals and their needs.
The women healed with the issue of blood needed to know that it was her faith that led to her healing. Yes, the grace of Jesus was important, but it was her faith that allows that grace to act in her life. Stopping and identifying her made that more than a physical healing, regardless of how transforming the physical healing was.
For the father of the child with the unclean spirit...
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9)
Belief is necessary, and the father both felt that he had some, and that he needed more. That he came asking for help showed that he already had some faith, but he was learning to have more.
What becomes most important to me here is that there are times when Jesus might appear harsh to some, but because I believe in his kindness and mercy I believe there are good reasons that we might not understand.
We know the man blind from birth was not blind because of sin, but for the paralytic lowered in through the roof, it appears that there were, or that at least there were sins that had been a concern. So when Jesus says "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew 9:2), it is a comfort. And then he tells him to go home, because he will need time to ponder.
When he tells the man at Bethesda "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" that does not sound quite as comforting. Since the first thing the man did upon learning the identity of Jesus was rat him out, that may be a clue to his character. (John 5)
When Jesus allows a woman to weep over his feet and does not speak to her for some time, that can seem insensitive. It can work as a teaching moment for those at dinner with him, that he will not shrink from the touch of a sinner, and for a lesson on forgiveness and love, but still, is seems odd not to immediately say something to her. (Luke 7)
And I can think that, but I can also remember times when I was so overcome with sadness that I literally could not speak, and people trying to get me to open up were just putting more pressure on me, no matter how well-intentioned they were. Putting an arm around me would have been the limit of attention that I could bear, and even that would have been a lot of pressure.
In that case, to give her time, to let her serve him and express herself in the way that she was prepared for, may have been the most sensitive and caring thing possible. I don't doubt that she was in pain, but that was already there. If he had turned to her to early and cut her time short, that may have hurt worse.
Then, after she has had a chance to pour out what was inside in the way that felt most possible to her - something that can leave you feeling very empty but is necessary - then he could turn to her and say:
"Thy sins are forgiven... Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."
Then she could go forth, understanding that her faith mattered, and that her love mattered, and peace could be a possibility for her, which had probably appeared impossible before she came.
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