My 2016 Lenten Journey--Day 38

March 18, 2016 ~ Day 38

My 2016 Lenten Journey: Exploring the Gospels to discover what following Jesus and becoming more like him would look like? ‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NRSV).

Matthew 12:1-21 ~ Picking grain on the Sabbath—unlawful? Healing on the Sabbath—unlawful? The rigid legalism of the Pharisees generally is what happens when rules take priority over people.

In response to the first confrontation Jesus referred to Hosea 6:6, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”

Israel had turned to dependence upon rules and rituals for their justification before God, and ignored the poor, the widows, orphans and the other powerless. The prophets of Israel, even as early as Samuel (15:22ff) left little doubt that God called for mercy and justice. The sacrificial system was their idea! They adopted it from religions of the surrounding cultures. Take a look at Isaiah 1:11-17, Amos 5:21-24, Jeremiah 7:3-7, Daniel 3:39-40 and other similar passages, if you know them. If your Bible has cross-references, follow them up.

In the second confrontation, Jesus responds with a simple, “Isn’t it OK to do good on the Sabbath?” But legalistic Pharisees did not see “good.” They saw only the volumes and volumes of laws and rules by which they managed their lives so they didn’t have to do good. (“I gave at the office.”)

The Pharisees were so indignant that anyone would dare question them that they conspired against him, how to destroy him.

So Jesus went elsewhere, where his healing ministry was accepted for what it was, and Matthew says Jesus was living out Isaiah’s prophecy in his first Servant Song (42:1-4). The Servant of the Lord will reach out to “all nations” in truth, justice and mercy.

What rules have I chosen—or erected—to hide behind so I can feel justified in withholding mercy and justice??

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9 NRSV)

‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NRSV).

That's the way it looks through the flawed glass that is my world view.

Together in the Walk,

Jim