Friday, November 7, 2014 BLIND ADVOCATES Matthew 23:23-24 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. (NIVUK) Christless religion always tends towards legalism and inconsistency. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for the being blind advocates of heaven. They did not understand Gods law and yet they micro-managed the people to give one tenth of all that came into their home. In particular they seized on the herbs and spices which were mentioned in Leviticus 27:30. It was easy to demand ten percent of the herbs grown by the synagogue congregation. But they did not bother to ensure that their social priorities and business ethics pleased God. They had lost Gods big picture and could only focus on the little things they could measure. Jesus was not knocking the principle of tithing, but was distressed that they could not see the purpose of tithing - to provide for the poor. God wants His people to experience justice (1 Samuel 2:3) for He is the ultimate Judge. Mercy and faithfulness are two of the component ideas behind Hesed [Chesed] - that great Hebrew word which describes Gods character (often expressed as loving-kindness). It sets the gold standard for His childrens behaviour, and was demonstrated in the life of the Lord Jesus. It is right to tithe and make gifts, and offerings on top of that, but when all that is done God is looking for more. Not a greater quantity of herbs but a different quality of life - where a personal concern for justice has top priority among believers. The widows and orphans should be cared for (James 1:27), the poor, oppressed, bereaved, prisoners and broken-hearted should find Gods favour (Isaiah 61:1-3) and those who have no hope hear the gospel (Matthew 11:5). Some Christians seem only to care about the Word while others are immersed in social action. Jesus said that both are necessary. James said that faith without action is a dead thing (James 2:26). Trusting in Jesus, and learning to live like Him, gives the reason for the action; and kind actions are a natural expression of that belief. It is a trap for modern day believers to select one or the other, for both are essential: otherwise the Bible teachers become blind advocates ... and the social activists are blind guides pointing people to a better life now, forgetting that eternity is the goal for us and the ultimate purpose is for God to get the glory.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:02:43 +0000
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