06-03-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
June 3, 2021
Scripture: Luke 12:1-2
Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.

Thought for the Day: All I can picture is a concert I attended in high school where there were no assigned seats, and the moment the doors opened, there were a few moments of chaos. I laugh, yet I know there have been many dangerous and deadly moments when calm crowds suddenly found themselves out of control. I am really struck by the word “trampled” in this passage, yet its as if the Gospel writer has no desire to stay on that subject as the move is quickly to the hypocrisy of the religious leadership. Now maybe this is nothing more than wishful thinking, but I wonder if the use of the word “trampled” was more hyperbole, a bit of an exaggeration to communicate the intensity of the crowd. And if that’s the case, don’t you find it interesting how the people couldn’t wait to get to Jesus, even though he was talking about hypocrisy. Most of us, even when the accusations of hypocrisy are directed toward others, can get a little nervous as we have some of our own hypocrisy. The first inclination is to keep a distance, yet there was something about Jesus that continued to draw people. They would see people like Zacchaeus whose hypocrisy would be pointed out by Jesus, yet the power of love did not cause him to push back or run away. Just the opposite. Zacchaeus was forever changed. That only happened because Jesus started and ended with love. Does the church know how to do this

Prayer: May the love I have come to know through you, Gracious God, continue to be the love I share with others. It is love, and love alone, that will bring the needed transformation to both individuals and the society in which we live. Amen.

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