refocus

“Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preen in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.” Luke 20:45-47 (The Message)

A group of religion scholars question Jesus with the intent of trapping him with his own words. Jesus then asks them how the Messiah can be both David’s son and David’s God at the same time. (Luke 20:44) To me, the answer seems obvious: Messiah is called “David’s son” because he comes from David’s line of descendants; Messiah is called “David’s God/Lord” because he is God, living on earth in human form. That doesn’t sound like such a hard question for “scholars of Scripture” to answer to me, but I don’t know what they understood or expected regarding Messiah. Also, my perspective comes from hindsight; whereas, they were trying to discern what Jesus said and claimed in the moment regarding something that they were looking forward to in the future. Everything is much easier to see and discern in hindsight (thus the saying about it being 20/20), but discernment in the moment can be a much different matter—especially if your focus isn’t really on “discerning truth” in the first place. Jesus then warns his disciples not to be like these scholars who love power and prestige and status and respect—even at the expense of others. Some of these scholars may have begun their “career” in honesty and sincerity with a true desire to know God and help others to know him, as well. But as the years passed, it was far too easy for them to be swept up in the perks and privileges of their position without realizing the detrimental effects these can have on you, personally and professionally. If you aren’t paying attention and subjecting these “benefits”, as well as your own attachment to them, to scrutiny and reflection, you can end up being worthy of severe punishment in the end without knowing why or how it happened in the first place. A very sobering thought, indeed! Sobering for me as a person who may be in a position of teaching and leading others, and sobering for me as a person who may be tempted to judge (and condemn) others who are in positions of teaching and leading me. This scenario is a true possibility for all of us, regardless of what our position or occupation, and regardless of the form and nature of the benefits that we receive from it. The penalty for allowing myself to fall into the trap of these scholars sounds quite severe, however just it may be, and I don’t want to find myself worthy of it—ever.

At this point, I’m reminded that Jesus didn’t come to earth to judge or condemn mankind, but so that mankind would be saved through him. (John 3:17) As I consider this truth in light of my own temptations to fall into the “scholar’s trap”, I hear God say this to me: “Don’t judge or condemn—yourself or anyone else. Be alert and pay attention! Consider your thoughts, and the ways that you act upon them, with care. Discern the way before you and make your choices based upon the light and truth that I provide for you. Each day that you live on earth is a gift from me to you—live each day as my loving child and servant, allowing me to promote and provide salvation in all its forms to those who need it through you. This can only happen when you consciously choose to place your own “benefits” aside so you can focus on the reason for my advent into this world—to bring salvation: love, joy, forgiveness, grace, hope and peace to a world filled with people who desperately need it.”