Seeing those two fish swimming in the opposite direction than all the fish in the tank at the Aquarium restaurant in Nashville really got my attention. It made Matthew 12 come to life. As I said in yesterday’s blog, I have always been different. I think differently than most people, especially when it comes to “church.” To put it as simple as I can say it, “I’m sick of the way churches have become.” Not all but most, it seems, have become social clubs. You must have a certain amount of money in your bank account, dress a certain way, and you must follow certain “rules” if you want to hang around. (I’m know we have to follow the Bible, but I’m talking about our own “personal rules” that we have and force them on someone else.) Like the Pharisees and the other religious leaders in Jesus’ day. Sure, they had the law and the prophets to govern by but they also put their own twist to things. They had all of these traditions that they made law and forced others to live by them as if God Himself had said it. If one didn’t look like them or act like them they were looked down upon and the Pharisees, who were suppose to be an example of God to the people, would shun them and label them “publicans and sinners.” They would have nothing to do with those individuals. They would go out of their way to avoid any communication with these types of individuals. Yet they stood in the streets and prayed beautiful prayers and they showed off their phylacteries so people could see how much Bible knowledge they had. I have learned that people don’t care how many scriptures you or I can quote. They want to know how we can help them. It does no good to slam someone with scriptures…in fact, it turns them off. If, however, we get involved in their lives and help with a need, the door to share the Bible with them will open and they are more likely to listen!
The Pharisees are like the school of fish swimming around the tank in one direction. They prayed, did daily rituals, made sacrifices, sang their chants, etc. Although it looked great in the eyes of man, it became a routine. Jesus said that “their hearts are far from God.” (Matthew 15:8) Jesus represents the two fish swimming in the opposite direction. He did things different. For example, He said things like, “Moses said to you…but I say to you…” Jesus touched lepers when no one would. He challenged the very thoughts of people. He sat in the homes of “sinners” and ate supper with them. Jesus chose to swim in the opposite direction…to break the mold of how things are “suppose to be.” What’s more important: wearing a suit and tie to church or a lost soul? Wearing my beanie while I eat with a bunch of youth or a lost soul? I think Matthew 12 and other passages make it clear…the lost soul. When our churches grasp this concept, then we will “have the attitude of Christ” and then, we will begin to see growth and not decline.
One thing that really stands out to me in Matthew 12 is verse 7, But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. This is the second time Jesus has mentioned this passage to the Pharisees (see Matthew 9:10-13). This passage comes from Hosea 6:6. Rick Rusaw, in his book, The Externally Focused Church, gives a great explanation of this passage:
Mercy, most simply put, is God’s attitude and action toward those in need or distress. Mercy goes beyond pity (to feel sorry for) or compassion (to feel sorry with). Mercy is always expressed in actions. The Good Samaritan is an example. The Samaritan distinguished himself from the priest and the Levite not just because he “took pity on him”(Luke 10:33) but also because he “had mercy on him” (Luke 10:37). Mercy is love with legs on it.
It’s time we, church, show mercy. It’s time to put the legs on our love and truly show Christ. Randy
The Pharisees are like the school of fish swimming around the tank in one direction. They prayed, did daily rituals, made sacrifices, sang their chants, etc. Although it looked great in the eyes of man, it became a routine. Jesus said that “their hearts are far from God.” (Matthew 15:8) Jesus represents the two fish swimming in the opposite direction. He did things different. For example, He said things like, “Moses said to you…but I say to you…” Jesus touched lepers when no one would. He challenged the very thoughts of people. He sat in the homes of “sinners” and ate supper with them. Jesus chose to swim in the opposite direction…to break the mold of how things are “suppose to be.” What’s more important: wearing a suit and tie to church or a lost soul? Wearing my beanie while I eat with a bunch of youth or a lost soul? I think Matthew 12 and other passages make it clear…the lost soul. When our churches grasp this concept, then we will “have the attitude of Christ” and then, we will begin to see growth and not decline.
One thing that really stands out to me in Matthew 12 is verse 7, But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. This is the second time Jesus has mentioned this passage to the Pharisees (see Matthew 9:10-13). This passage comes from Hosea 6:6. Rick Rusaw, in his book, The Externally Focused Church, gives a great explanation of this passage:
Mercy, most simply put, is God’s attitude and action toward those in need or distress. Mercy goes beyond pity (to feel sorry for) or compassion (to feel sorry with). Mercy is always expressed in actions. The Good Samaritan is an example. The Samaritan distinguished himself from the priest and the Levite not just because he “took pity on him”(Luke 10:33) but also because he “had mercy on him” (Luke 10:37). Mercy is love with legs on it.
It’s time we, church, show mercy. It’s time to put the legs on our love and truly show Christ. Randy
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