Reflection: "Where to Stand in Church"Evidently, going to church can be a tricky business.
One person might enter this sanctuary thinking: “I feel good here. I’m doing okay, God. Thank you that I have not fallen in temptation like some others I know. Bless me that I may keep up the good work.” Another person might slip into this place thinking: “I’ve got no right to be here, God. I’ve really screwed up and made a mess of my life. If you can, God, have pity on me.” According to Jesus, the first person would probably leave this church at odds with God, while the second one could well leave very much okay with God. Here’s another bit of sharp discomforting word from the Parable Man! Jesus just could not help himself, could he? He keeps upsetting our ideas of what is appropriate or inappropriate, fair or unfair, but he continually throws us back into the arms of God’s free gift of grace. Among the four Gospel compilers, I find Luke especially enthusiastic about this aspect of Christ. The familiar benediction which commences: “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” may not have originated with Luke, but the theme is certainly dear to his heart. His Gospel is about some great news for the world – “Grace”. Providing the unbuyable, unpredictable, uncalculated, seemingly indiscriminate, generosity of God - to even the most despicable of characters. But don’t gloss over this fact; I did just say: “despicable characters.” In this parable, the tax collector is not painted as a really nice guy, in spite of his profession. By the way, our son-in-law, Tim, used to work for the ATO until just recently, so I suppose he could have been called a modern day “tax collector”, but it’s actually considered an honest profession these days. In those days, such people were rogues, despicable people. Our common use of the word “tax collectors” as those whom Jesus welcomed, must not blunt the fact that they were usually traitors; “low lifes”, who collected taxes for the occupying army. These men were hated for good reason, as they were the “bag men” for Rome. With the broad swords of the Roman military behind them, they enforced the payment of tolls, even from the poorest of the poor. And they also made an extortionate profit from the business, on the side. So, the tax man at the back of the Temple was probably one of these low-life’s – a real blood sucking creep. I imagine him as very plump, well dressed and wearing lots of expensive jewellery. On the other hand, the Pharisee was probably a truly good man. I imagine him as being lean - from living with moderation and fasting often. He’s trying desperately hard to do the right thing. The only obligatory fast for a good Jew was once a year on the Day of Atonement, but this chap is voluntarily doing it twice a week. What’s more, he doesn’t merely give a tenth of his income to the temple, he gives a tenth of the cost of anything he buys; just in case the shop keeper doesn’t tithe with his income. This is not one of those religious guys who gets legalistic and meticulously pays attention to legal requirement, but doesn’t do a thing more. This man is generous, and we would probably love to have him as a member of any church, wouldn’t we? Well, where does the Pharisee go wrong, and where does the tax collector get it right? To start with, notice the Pharisee prayed about himself – no mention of God. He’s airing his goodness before God, rather than communing with God. He’s flaunting his virtues, instead of falling down in awe before such pure beauty and holy love. Then things get worse. Where the Pharisee goes totally wrong is when he attempts to justify himself by making comparisons with others. “I thank you God that I am not like everyone else,” he says, in an attempt to find his soul’s security by establishing his credentials as compared with the poor credentials of extortionists, the unjust, and adulterers. You may have heard a similar comment from someone watching the news or reading a paper. They comment on an item about some respectable person who has been caught breaking the law: “I may not be a saint, but at least I’m not like that fellow!” Or the worldly person, who plays the self-justification game this way: “I know I don’t go to church very often, but at least I’m not a hypocrite like some of them!” In the presence of God, we’re not like siblings, jealous of each other and hoping to buy more parental love by being better than our sisters and brothers. We don’t earn good points that way, nor do we earn extra vouchers by bad-mouthing others. Our only justification for being in the presence of God comes down to this: God’s unconditional love for us. We’re here because God wants us here. The tax collector was a despicable man, but he knew he was and looked for nothing but the mercy of God. He knew he had no right to be in the Temple and he was aware that any comparison with others would leave him in more debt. The only way he was going to feel okay was if God granted it to him. And God did – as a free gift - gratis! Grace is what this Gospel message is fundamentally about. Self-vindication can lead to a terrible poverty, but God’s love can restore us. It’s a tragedy that those who try to justify themselves leave no room to receive grace. Morally, they may be living exemplary lives; yet their well-stocked, neatly packed, self-justifications leave no hole into which the grace of God can take hold. They go home unpardoned - not because God withholds grace, but because they’re not ready to receive it. If you’re full of yourself, there’s not much room for God. On the other hand, all kinds of sinners who’ve given up hopes of self-vindication, are able to find grace, mercy and peace, as they have a hunger, a gnawing emptiness in their souls, a room for grace to enter in and work its miracle. I have one final comment - a sting in the tail - if you like. There is a little, demonic trap lurking close by after we’ve heard this parable. It’s the temptation for each of us to think: “Thank God I’m not like that Pharisee.” Oops. Don’t be like him – so full of yourself that you can’t come openly to God and gratefully accept his gift of grace. Be thankful for all the gifts God has provided for you and tell it to him regularly – in your prayers. Blessings…………..Pastor Rick
1 Comment
Lena Beryl Blok
21/10/2022 06:50:46 pm
Thank you Rick, This is a good message and reflects some interesting points. How blessed we are to have God's Grace, the great undeserved Love of God.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Pastor
|