Good Morning.
The other day I was visited by someone who opened the conversation with: “I’ll never set foot into a Presbyterian church during worship. Do you want to know why? Because you have turned your back on Scripture!” Interesting way to start a conversation. Perhaps I should have responded, but I felt as though anyone starting a conversation with that comment for openers was unlikely to actually be looking for dialog. So I told him that I wasn’t about to have that conversation just then.
There is no human being who has ever read scripture who has not interpreted it for themselves. We cannot read words in a newspaper without interpreting them. It’s part of what defines us as human beings. We are capable of and constantly engaged in the interpretation of the world around us.
I don’t know what it means when someone says that they take the Bible literally. Have they stoned any wizards or mediums lately (Lev. 20.27)? Have they stoned anyone who has taken the name of the Lord in vain (Lev. 24:16)? Have they stoned any family members who converted to another religion (Deut. 17:5)? Have they stoned their unruly children (Deut. 21:21)? It’s funny how some people can say that they take the Bible literally, and then they pick and choose which “abominations” they want to stone!
From my perspective, “taking the Bible literally” means turning the living word of God into an artifact, a book, an idol, and then committing idolatry.
Today’s Gospel lesson has one of those snippets that – especially in an election year – some people like to quote “literally.” It is also quoted out of context. Jesus is preparing his disciples for His impending death. A woman comes and anoints Jesus’ head with expensive oil. The disciples complain – as they often did when outsiders approached Jesus – that the money for the oil might have been better spent as a contribution to the poor. And it is here that Jesus says something that is frequently quoted completely out of context: “She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial.” I have heard too many people try to justify policies and attitudes that ignore or even harm the poor by misquoting: “you always have the poor with you.” No one could read the ministry of Jesus and believe that he was advocating that the poor be ignored or mistreated. He was comparing the perpetual human condition, to which we are perpetually challenged to respond compassionately, to the little amount of time he had left. It wasn't about the poor (cf., The Sermon on the Mount). It was about Jesus and his impending death.
The Bible narratives aren’t set in today’s world, but I firmly believe that the Bible speaks to us in today’s world. Read it and see for yourself. You may be surprised at what you find. It’s filled with a message of forgiveness, freedom and joy for today!
Prayer: Almighty God, we give you thanks for Your faithfulness throughout the generations. Your words speak to us today even as we struggle to live our lives as You would have us do. Let us use the gifts that You have given us – our minds, our ability to read, to think and to reason – so that our faith can be meaningful to our lives in this Your world today. Let us remember the love and compassion, the forgiveness and acceptance through which You have welcomed us into Your presence. Let us share those precious gifts of grace with the world around us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Today’s readings are Joshua 3:14-4:7; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 26:1-16; Psalm 37:1-42.
Blessings.
Pastor Jim
Comments
Post a Comment