08-17-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 17, 2023
Just the other day, I had someone say to me, "Why all this talk about the needy and poor? Jesus told us that they would be with us always." The individual was referencing Mark 14:7, as Jesus was moving closer to his arrest and crucifixion. Like always, it is important to read scripture within its context, especially when Jesus followed up by telling his listeners how we are to show kindness whenever we’d like. And of course, to suggest we have no responsibility to those in need is to dismiss much of the Jesus story. There are times when I come across a verse or even a phrase in scripture with which I resonate. I don’t believe it is necessarily bad to have a few words encourage you, but if we are going to share them with others or make a strong statement about faith, we ought to pause and seek to understand what the larger context is suggesting. We never want to pass along an idea that really is not found in scripture.

Good God, provide wisdom and genuine curiosity for my study and exploration of the Bible. There is much to learn and so many inspiring stories, but there is context, and there might be times when it is not saying what it says. Give me eyes to see when the sarcasm or hyperbole is seeking to make a point other than what the literal words might suggest. Amen.