Politics and Religion and the Public Square

 The two subjects not to be talked about in polite conversation are politics and religion. Jesus Christ was not a political figure. He was sent by God  to redeem Israel, but he was viewed as a threat to the politics in his time as well as the religion of the day. He was a thorn in the side of the religious elite Pharisees and also to the political Herodians. The Romans were the rulers of the area, but the Herodians had their section of rule that they wanted to maintain. The Herodians and Pharisees were diametrically opposed to each other, but when Jesus developed a following among the people both groups united against him. It was a strange union but they had a common enemy due to their ambitions and desire for power.

One day Jesus entered into the synagogue and saw a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees watched Jesus to see if he would heal him on that sabbath day. Any work or action done on the sabbath was considered contrary to Judean law. They wanted to catch him and accuse him publicly. Jesus spoke to the man with the withered hand and told him to 'Stand Forth'. Let's just say his sense of loving righteous justice was elevated. Then he said to all those around him:

"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?" But they held their peace (remained silent).
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mark 3:4-5

Yes, Jesus at times got angry and experienced inward grief. Their hard hearts bothered him. It was love to confront them and expose their conspiratorial thinking. Then he did the one thing that proved what God is all about, he told the man with the withered hand to stretch it out. The man was emboldened to do just that, and as he did, his hand was healed.

So the Pharisees jumped for joy and praised God and realized the truth about the sabbath. No! They didn't! They got angrier!  Their sabbath was really about law and not the grace that God had in mind:

 The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Mark 2:27

It was a day of rest.  In fact take the 'Chapter 3' heading out (chapter markings were added by man and weren't in the original texts) and this verse provides some context for Mark 3:1-4.

The pharisees then joined with the  Herodians to go after Jesus. It was an 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' sort of relationship. Two opposing parties united to go after a common enemy, Jesus. 

It happens all the time and is very common today. People like to pull people to their side against some  cause. It is all over social media and extremely prevalent on FaceBook and Twitter.  God does not work that way. There is a great record (Joshua 5:13-15) about when Joshua was about to enter the promised land with the Israelites and when he faced opposition, an angel of the Lord with a sword appeared to him. Joshua asked the angel: "Are you for us or our adversaries?" God is faithful to his word. That is where he is. He has one side and it is truth. We all need to keep that in mind. I know I have to constantly remind myself of that. Jesus talking to the Pharisees is a great example of using truth as a basis for conversation. The Pharisees wanted to be the righteous ones, but Jesus directed them to God's wonderful grace and truth. When they took council against him, he withdrew himself. Those that followed him received the benefits of truth.

The Plain Path

Recently I dropped my husband off in Chicago and then drove home in busy Chicago traffic. I realized I had not done that in a long time. He usually is the one that drives. It is nice to sit back in the passenger seat and let someone else do the driving. However, I do enjoy driving. There is a sense of freedom being behind the wheel weaving in and out of traffic and trying a different route.

When things are presented to us and we don't have to go look for them, we can get a little lazy. Sometimes it may happen in one of two areas of our lives or in maybe many areas. For several years I was involved in a biblical group that taught tools on how to mine the Bible for its precious gold. I learned those lessons well and then because of how much I really enjoyed what I was learning, I wanted more. When God sees your heart to know him, he does not hold back. The whole idea of providing the gift of holy spirit in each one of our lives connects us to God individually and truly learning is a magnificent wonderful adventure.

During Old Testament times holy spirit was upon certain men and women to lead God's people. God connected with people through a leader who was endowed with God's spirit. With the coming of the New Covenant, established by the life, death, ascension and resurrection of Jesus Christ, any one who believes could have a connection with God.

 'Christ' was not Jesus's last name, it was a title conferred to him regarding his mission from God as a savior. He was a rescuer to bring true freedom to mankind. It still is his position and function.  He inaugurated a new kind of leadership style that put each individual in the driver's seat to carry out God's own personal mission for his or her own life. God has enabled us to handle anything that comes our way and can provide the GPS to help us route our path.

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psalm 27:11

The 'plain path' refers level ground and a smooth path free of being dragged down by obstacles. This word has been used to describe plateaus and geographical plains. This world is full of obstacles but God can help anyone  weave through them smoothly. He can also keep us above the things that try to drag us down. 'Enemies' refers to those who lie in wait. God can prosper and provide safety and comfort even during the craziest times.  Each of us has to take the wheel and steer and trust God's way (his heart, his manner) that he has provided.