Jackhammers for Jesus

One of this week's readings includes a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees:

Luke 16:16 “The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped."

This reminds me of the way that modern day Pharisees try to convince me that I can't be Christian. They use Jesus as a battling ram, as if they can "rescue" me by force, pushing me into the kingdom through the repetition of their claims. They apply the pneumatic hammer of scripture.

In this passage Jesus tells us that something new happened when John came. He points out that as Messiah, his mission was to fulfill the law; to make it complete. As he said on the cross "It is finished/culminated/consumated."  And so I pat myself on the back, and think about making up a bunch of tee shirts reading "Jackhammers for Jesus" to pass out to the gaggle of Pharisees who swarm near, waving their favorite, most damning passages of scripture.

But then verse 17 urges me to patience and mercy for these same people who drive me nearly mad with their death-grip on cudgels of law despite all the instruction to the contrary offered in the gospels and  epistles. In 17 Jesus reminds me that it is no easy thing for those raised under the law, those who define themselves by it, to let it pass away.

And that is sad. And worthy of compassion.

When odor becomes fragrance

At the end of Paul's letter to the Philippians, he praises the church, and says that their financial gifts to him are a fragrant offering:

I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Phil 4:8)

Old Testament cross references to the phrase point to the smell of burnt animal sacrifices. The typical phrase used in these references is "a pleasing odor". This concept causes cognitive dissonance given that the scent of burning feathers, fur, and bone is generally recognized as disgusting.

Odor indeed.

So what a lovely way it is for Paul to turn this all on its head, while confirming the words of Jesus who said:

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice." (Matt 9:13)  

Paul praised the church for being actors in the new covenant, where generosity and consideration for suffering is what God desires, rather than the death-driven sacrificial system of the old.

The Vanity of Name Taking

I am in a Facebook conversation with a young woman who has chosen "Cisse Masiix" as her nom de guerre, which means Jesus Christ in Somali. She is a Christian fundamentalist extremist who picks and chooses the scriptures she wants to follow and which others to use as whips on those with whom she disagrees.

I picture her wearing a button reading "WWJD?" But given the style with which she engages in discussion about homosexuality, it's pretty clear she ignores that essential question. 

Because here's what Jesus did.

• He spent time with sinners.
• He stopped injustice to the marginalized.
• He healed.
• He taught gently, through stories and parables.
• He broke down barriers between those of opposing social positions, cultures, and ideals.
• He excoriated two groups only: the money changers who extorted the faithful, and the scribes and pharisees who twisted God's instructions and kept people from the love of God. And this latter group gets more gospel attention than anything else.
• He died rather than fight.
• He beseeched God for oneness among his followers.

What he didn't do was use scripture as a cudgel, rather, he proclaimed woe to those who did.

A number of Old Testament passages teach us that his holy name is profaned by hypocritical behavior and false representation of God's words or character.

I worry a bit about what he thinks, this true Jesus Christ, when he watches people take on his name and then preach a message so in conflict with his own.

So if you are reading this, please pray for her, this fervent spitfire. May God open her eyes to the light of Christ.