Recently while walking home from church and was almost hit by a car pulling into a parking lot. Shocked I asked if the driver was going to just keep on and run me over as if I wasn’t breathing? Suddenly the vehicle stopped Gangham style and the driver approached me angrily as if it was none of my business.
After I explained what I said, they said they thought I said something else. For a moment the crazy situation became heated until I asked how they could hear anything while they were driving with all of the noise and I was outside walking.
Moments later they returned their vehicle and left. As I continued walking, I sensed anger growing within my heart. I became overcome with bitter thoughts about the situation. When I was almost home the bitterness turned into guilt and shame.
I knew my pride had puffed me up and perhaps my religion blinded me. I remembered the parable about the Good Samaritan. Luke explains the Pharisees and an expert in the law who was with them began to test Jesus.
They tried to test the Teacher on the law and Jesus asked them the same question about the law. The expert answered correctly, he had known the answer all along, he just didn’t know how to apply it. Jesus’ parable about a Samaritan woman teaches us who our neighbor is (Luke 10:25-37.) Basically, you need to find your love for others, because this is the proof of your love for God (John 13:34-35.)
Matthew and Mark also discussed how the Pharisees and the expert attempted to test Jesus about the matter. In Matthew’s version Jesus tests them about the Messiah and they fail the test. He then makes a declaration to the Jewish people against the Pharisees and their experts. Jesus pronounces a “woe” against them.
Woe?
This “woe” isn’t good expression as made famous by Bill and Ted. This woe is a harsh rebuke purposely used to call attention to an error in judgment or beliefs.
Pronouncing woes against people wasn’t a new concept in Jesus’ day, it had been going on forever. Throughout Jewish history God's prophets pronounced woes to His people in attempts to get them to return to Him.
It was God’s way of saying this is not My way, return to me. That was the main function of prophets for a thousand years, to correct His people (Isaiah 3:1, 5:20, 29:15 31:1, Micah 2:1.)
Interestingly, the name Israel actually means, “Wrestles with God.” Because God’s people have always wrestled with God’s ways and we still do.
When Jesus arrived He started using this language with His followers (Matthew 11:21-24,) yes, we see this in red letters. Jesus is calling His people to repent and leave their evil ways alone. It’s an opportunity to learn from our mistakes.
John tells us this correcting continues until the end of time. In his vision of Heaven, he sees the angel rebuking some of the churches. They are infamously known as the three woes of Revelation (Revelation 8:13, 9:1-2.)
Grace?
Some may wonder about grace. Grace for Christians is often misunderstood. Grace is a second chance to do what is right, just like it is to the lost; it is not permission to keep doing what is wrong. In a sense, a woe is grace.
Grace is another way God says return to Me. It is God’s plea with everyone. The only difference is we accept it—for the most part, we’re almost there. We accept the idea, but not the application, I love God and I want to live like I mean it.
Many Christians believe as long as they go to church every Sunday, say the right things and do the right things, they will go to Heaven when the end comes.
Jesus told His followers not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter Heaven (Matthew 7:21.) Even Moses wasn’t allowed to enter the promised land. Thus, it is possible to live our entire lives and never understand grace. The scariest part is what if our friends, family or even we spend forever in hell, whoa!
After I explained what I said, they said they thought I said something else. For a moment the crazy situation became heated until I asked how they could hear anything while they were driving with all of the noise and I was outside walking.
Moments later they returned their vehicle and left. As I continued walking, I sensed anger growing within my heart. I became overcome with bitter thoughts about the situation. When I was almost home the bitterness turned into guilt and shame.
I knew my pride had puffed me up and perhaps my religion blinded me. I remembered the parable about the Good Samaritan. Luke explains the Pharisees and an expert in the law who was with them began to test Jesus.
They tried to test the Teacher on the law and Jesus asked them the same question about the law. The expert answered correctly, he had known the answer all along, he just didn’t know how to apply it. Jesus’ parable about a Samaritan woman teaches us who our neighbor is (Luke 10:25-37.) Basically, you need to find your love for others, because this is the proof of your love for God (John 13:34-35.)
Matthew and Mark also discussed how the Pharisees and the expert attempted to test Jesus about the matter. In Matthew’s version Jesus tests them about the Messiah and they fail the test. He then makes a declaration to the Jewish people against the Pharisees and their experts. Jesus pronounces a “woe” against them.
Woe?
This “woe” isn’t good expression as made famous by Bill and Ted. This woe is a harsh rebuke purposely used to call attention to an error in judgment or beliefs.
Pronouncing woes against people wasn’t a new concept in Jesus’ day, it had been going on forever. Throughout Jewish history God's prophets pronounced woes to His people in attempts to get them to return to Him.
It was God’s way of saying this is not My way, return to me. That was the main function of prophets for a thousand years, to correct His people (Isaiah 3:1, 5:20, 29:15 31:1, Micah 2:1.)
Interestingly, the name Israel actually means, “Wrestles with God.” Because God’s people have always wrestled with God’s ways and we still do.
When Jesus arrived He started using this language with His followers (Matthew 11:21-24,) yes, we see this in red letters. Jesus is calling His people to repent and leave their evil ways alone. It’s an opportunity to learn from our mistakes.
John tells us this correcting continues until the end of time. In his vision of Heaven, he sees the angel rebuking some of the churches. They are infamously known as the three woes of Revelation (Revelation 8:13, 9:1-2.)
Grace?
Some may wonder about grace. Grace for Christians is often misunderstood. Grace is a second chance to do what is right, just like it is to the lost; it is not permission to keep doing what is wrong. In a sense, a woe is grace.
Grace is another way God says return to Me. It is God’s plea with everyone. The only difference is we accept it—for the most part, we’re almost there. We accept the idea, but not the application, I love God and I want to live like I mean it.
Many Christians believe as long as they go to church every Sunday, say the right things and do the right things, they will go to Heaven when the end comes.
Jesus told His followers not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter Heaven (Matthew 7:21.) Even Moses wasn’t allowed to enter the promised land. Thus, it is possible to live our entire lives and never understand grace. The scariest part is what if our friends, family or even we spend forever in hell, whoa!
Thank you for your reminder to keep our pride in check, to not allow ourselves to get 'puffed up' nor let religious indignation enter our lives. (And, I'm glad you didn't get taken out by the wild-and-crazy drivers!)
ReplyDeleteYou give a new perspective to God's grace, Martin. God deals with us through His grace in many different ways. Sometimes His grace is gentle and peaceful. Sometimes He disciplines us so, through His touch of grace, we learn to walk closer to Him.
ReplyDeleteYou remind us, Martin, that God's intent is for us to turn to Him. As a loving Father, he calls us in different ways. Thank you for your message.
ReplyDeleteWhen you reread a post almost two weeks later and see your typos, whoa.
ReplyDelete