March 11, 2010

Exodus 22

Much is being said about our health care system today. No matter where you fall in the debate on health care and how much the government should be involved, one thing we can all agree on is that in an ideal world we want everyone to have equal access to health care. The problem is that we do not live in an ideal world. We all want equal access to health care until it begins to reduce my pocketbook to the extent that I would have to lower my standard of living. It is easier to talk about taxing those who make more than I do, rather than see it as my responsibility to help others. Numerous studies suggest that the more unequal the income distribution in a country, state, or city, the lower the life expectancies for people at all income levels. Some social commentators have suggested that having a greater income gap between rich and poor reduces the willingness of the rich to help. (Well, duh. . . isn’t that human nature?) They further argue that the higher the income gap, the less social cohesion exists in a community. This produces social isolation. Social isolation is known to be a health risk factor.

Maybe we are approaching this all wrong. Rather than trying to solve the problem with government intervention by mandating certain economic interventions, maybe we should be focusing upon our hearts. What motivates a society to seek more social cohesion, less economic disparity? I think the record shows that it is not government intervention that leads the way. Rather, it is government intervention that happens when the hearts of a large number of its governed are changed. How do we change hearts? I think it only happens when we continually spend time gazing at the heart of God. How does gazing at the heart of God change us?

Look at these verses found in today’s passage.

5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

21“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

22“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23“If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; 24“and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

25“If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.

Several times in this passage, which deals with civil law, the principle of restitution is mentioned. What does this tell us about the heart of God? Israel was not to oppress a stranger. What does this tell us about the heart of God? Israel was not to afflict a widow or an orphan, lest His wrath become hot. What does this tell us of the heart of God? Israelites were not to lend money at interest to fellow Israelites. What does this tell us of the heart of God? He is a God who desires that we live at peace with each other. He desires that will live with justice and mercy toward each other. He has a special heart for the helpless. He is angry when we take advantage of the helpless. Isn’t that fantastic? Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john



Mark 12:28-44

I have five children, four sons and a daughter. One of the principles that Laura and I have tried to live by in child raising is that they should always treat us with respect. Blatant, premeditated willful disrespect has always been a spanking offense. The commandment to honor your father and mother is the first commandment with a promise. We desire that they should enjoy that promise. But even though we have trained them to give us that respect, I would never ever expect them to call me, 'lord.' That would be weird. 'Sir,' yes, I expect that at times. But in my mind, 'lord' is reserved only for God. And you had also better believe that my children will probably never hear me call them, 'lord,' except in jest. That would be just . . . unnatural. Likewise, I will never hear my parents call me, 'lord.' That would be just . . . wrong.

Jesus had endured a barrage of trick questions from the religious leaders in their efforts to discredit Him. He masterfully answered each and everyone. The last one was probably not so much a trick question as just plain curiosity as to how Jesus would answer, "Which is the first commandment of all?" The first commandment is to love Yahweh, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Check the Law out. If we could completely fulfill those two commandments, we wouldn't need any others. Jesus answered beautifully and everyone knew it.

Now it was time for Him to point out their lack. He asks them a simple question. In Psalm 110:1 when David says, "The Lord (Yahweh) said to my lord, 'Sit at my right hand. . . '" It was commonly understood by the rabbis that this Psalm referred to the Messiah, who would be a descendant of David. How can David call Him 'lord?' That would be like a parent kneeling before a child and calling him lord. If that descendant is more than human then it might be acceptable. If that descendant were God and human, it would be required. Moreover if He were God and man it would be required to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Like the Scribes our problem it that we often want others to recognize us for having fulfilled the law's demands without having truly met them. We want to throw a few dollars at the church and have everyone think, "Wow, they really love God. Look how much they give to Him." Or we pray and want everyone to think, "Wow, that was a beautiful prayer. They must really love God."

Jesus was sitting in the temple seeing the widow quietly give all that she had in the offering box. Nobody else really cared. After all, what difference will a few cents make? He was probably the only one who noticed. But He noticed what was important. She gave all she had. She loved the Lord, her God, with all that she was and had. She was calling Him, 'Lord' by her heart and her actions. The scribes only wanted the attention of people. Jesus, the Messiah, is LORD! He is worthy of all our love, heart, soul, mind, strength, not just a façade for others to see but the real thing that only He sees. Yes, He is the Son of David and David, by the Holy Spirit called Him, "Lord." And it is right and proper because He is the God-Man! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john