(Audio)
Jesus is not interested in things which are only external and superficial. At best they are show and pretense. They are often hypocrisy. At worst they are even self-deception. For Jesus, the point is not a showy religiosity, nor loud virtue signaling, even when masked with religious intent.
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext,
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”
It isn't enough to recite lengthy prayers if we are complicit in injustice. It is precisely the desire for seats of honor, greetings, and being respected and admired that often tempt us to overlook those who are in need. Our comfort innoculates us from seeing the problems in which we ourselves are complicit.
How are we called to respond to injustice, and to our own apparent collusion with it? In our pride we might imagine that we ourselves must do something extreme and grandieose. Just as pride made us part of the problem so our pride insists that we prove ourselves by how we are part of the solution.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
This widow will forever infuriate social activists who insist that she did nothing. What was the effect of so little, after all? Yet for God, and therefore for his Kingdom, this contribution means more than all the riches of the wealthy.
The point of the widow's mite is not simply that it was OK that it was a smaller amount because she couldn't do better. The point was that she offered her whole self, her heart and mind. The world can't recognize the value in such an offering. Yet it is emphatically only on the basis of such offerings that a world of justice can be built.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.
Can we cast off the pride that believes that we ourselves, because of our own greatness and importance, must be the solution, yet still give our hearts and minds entirely to the cause of love and justice? If we do, our prayers will not be mere pretense. They will move the heart of God.
Our willingness to give our livelihood to Jesus will allow us to "be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient". We will be allies of justice even when the particular cause isn't blowing up on our social media feeds. The Pharisees make a show of support for such things only when they are the cause de jour. But true change requires more depth. We can't rely on the news or on social media to give us direction. If we do we ourselves will be "diverted to myths" of one sort or another.
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances;
put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist;
fulfill your ministry.
Is the way of the Gospel easier than the way of the Pharisees? Often it is not. Like Paul, if we work for justice and for the Kingdom we will find ourselves meeting hardship, even being poured out like a libation. But we will also find that it is worth it.
I have competed well;
I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.
Take My Life - Vineyard Music
Lay It Down - Matt Maher
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