awareness

A quick thought as I continue to work through Mark and Jesus’ call to the Gospel:

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath… (2:27)

I’ve been consumed by this small prepositional phrase as it pretty much dictates the whole dialogue about why Jesus is upset with the Pharisees for their stubborn position(s) concerning the Law through Mark 3. We often preach in this section that the point is more on how legalism is wrong (which it is) and that we need to try new things given shifts in our context.  I would totally agree but that’s not the entire point of Mark 2-3. Jesus isn’t mad about traditions. He actually practices them (Matt. 5:17-25). What irritates Jesus aren’t old forms but insensitive leaders that demand them to the point that they actually cause people to struggle. They’re dangerous leaders because personal convictions are held even at the expense of people’s physical and spiritual well-being. In fact his whole point comes down to this one question: “‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ They remained silent.”(3:4).

Christians talk about sin as acts committed against God but I think sin is also the omitted action; when something should be done for mercy or justice sake but for one reason or another isn’t done. And here their silence indicates their refusal to do what is not only right but also better for the sake of another human being.

Do you ever question whether vision and ideas (while all good) actually cause people to stumble? When do we become courageous enough to assess if we’re really aware of what God’s trying to accomplish for the people God’s brought to us to care for… to reach… to disciple. There comes a point where I think every single person who calls themselves a member of community (whether more emergent, liberal, conservative) has an obligation to ask the same question Jesus asked of current religious leaders: “Is it better to do good.. or to let your personal convictions cause us to experience spiritual decay?” Are your systems and church structures really creating more disciples? It’s a courageous way of evaluating motives in leadership; one that commands respect from others as I really believe it reveals Jesus’ own spiritual awareness working through a leader.

Praying for greater awareness…