07-15-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 15, 2023
Does worship have a purpose? Tomorrow morning, I will look at a portion of Isaiah 58 in which there is a glimmer of hope after some very challenging words. The discomforting thoughts are found in the first four verses of this chapter, where we read:

Shout loudly; don’t hold back;
    raise your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their crime,
    to the house of Jacob their sins.
They seek me day after day,
    desiring knowledge of my ways
    like a nation that acted righteously,
    that didn’t abandon their God.
They ask me for righteous judgments,
    wanting to be close to God.
“Why do we fast and you don’t see;
    why afflict ourselves and you don’t notice?”
Yet on your fast day you do whatever you want,
    and oppress all your workers.
You quarrel and brawl, and then you fast;
    you hit each other violently with your fists.
You shouldn’t fast as you are doing today
    if you want to make your voice heard on high.

Is fasting a bad thing? Absolutely not! What is troubling to the Prophet are those who use fasting, or any other religious practice or confession, as a means of feeling good when, in fact, they are not doing any good. The Prophets have an incredible ability to offer harsh criticism, call out hypocrisy, and make everyone feel as if they are beyond hope. It was sort of in the job description. Sometimes our systems are in need of a shock to awaken us to who we are and what we have been called to do.

We tend to focus on the love and mercy of Jesus, and I think we should. But on occasion, Jesus cut loose on some of those who were doing the very things the Prophet Isaiah raised as concerns. I’ve always thought of judgment in a positive way, which I know is a stretch for some people. But I believe divine judgment is only the light by which we are able to see where our lives are in fact undermining the Gospel. It can feel uncomfortable for a moment, but the light is also grace, through which we see a path forward that was never outside of God’s love and mercy.

Amazing God! I don’t always like it when the light of judgment shines upon me, yet I know there is plenty within me that might be a bit hypocritical and, in fact, hinder the proclamation of your unconditional and limitless love. In your mercy, help me to change… even when my initial reaction is discomfort or even pushing back. Be my teacher and guide. Amen.