Religious People Did Not Like Jesus

"Religious People Did Not Like Jesus" was the theme of a sermon I was listening to while driving to work.  The preacher delivering the message was explaining that, during Jesus' ministry, his teachings were entirely radical, extraordinarily controversial, and maligning to much of the prevailing religious community.  That assessment of Jesus and his message is correct.  Is it possible that he would receive the same reaction today?

During the time of Christ, the prevailing religious leaders thought that by maintaining the appearance of following God's law, they might inherit His promised blessings.  Jesus taught that, while we are absolutely expected to be obedient, the content of our hearts determines whether we are pure.  He taught that no matter how good the external appearances, the internal would finally determine whether we are truly obedient.  Jesus said: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness."  

While being internally corrupt, the religious leaders condemned those whom they felt unworthy of God's grace.  In the meantime, Jesus would dine with sinners and fraternize with the spiritually and physically unclean.  While those same leaders hypocritically preached of excommunication of sinners, Jesus' message was one of grace and forgiveness.  He taught that the poor in spirit were blessed and that the meek would inherit the earth...the last would be first.

Does our modern religious culture have any parallels to that which Christ preached against?  Do our outward religious practices belie our inward spiritual state?  Then, do we condemn the afflicted while we ourselves are also afflicted?  Or do we act with grace in accepting the shortcomings of others...while duly recognizing our own?

Are we like those proud teachers of the law, about to stone the woman to death for her transgressions, unable to see their own shortcomings?  Jesus - in his amazing way - offered to allow the stoning if someone, who hadn't sinned himself, would throw the first stone.  Even the Pharisees realized that they could not measure up to this standard and walked away.  Do we Christians realize that our own shortcomings should prevent us from this same condemnation of others?  Should these passages make us uncomfortable?  With "much fear and trembling", they should.

Paul said: "...while we were still sinners, Christ died for us".  Being in an infinitely smaller state than God, we might challenge ourselves by asking whether we should feel [even remotely] justified when we self-righteously reject those for whom he died.

Humility as a Hallmark

Mother Teresa was one of the most beloved Christians in recent history.  She was known around the world for her care for the poor and dying.  She claimed to see the face of God in those for whom she cared.  Her ministry started in the very desperate streets of Calcutta, India.  By the time of her death, her centers that cared for the poor, orphaned and dying grew to include 133 countries.  The stories of her caring for maggot-infested dying street people are some of the most beautiful of our time.  She didn't care about their background, religious faith, social or criminal background.  Her concern about the dying was that they die with dignity...with someone who loved them by their side.  Someone holding their hand.    

Knowing some of this background about Mother Teresa, I bought her book entitled "No Greater Love".   I was thunderstruck by the opening sentence that read:  "I don't think there is anyone who needs God's help and grace as much as I do".  As I read this sentence, I was completely frozen.  I thought, how can someone who has accomplished so much feel that they need the grace of God "more than anyone"?.  Well, as it turns out, maybe she accomplished so much because of this humility. 

Respected Christian leader, Charles Spurgeon, stated that if he were to give one sermon, "it would be a sermon against pride".  Jesus said: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.".  Jesus despised pride.  So, why are many Christians quiet on the topic while scrutinizing so many other behaviors? 

The verse mentioned in the last paragraph was toward the end of a parable Jesus told his disciples.  In this story, Jesus compared two men.  One, the religious leader, was perfectly behaved.  In fact, he would have been a model member of his church.  He tithed, didn't cheat, was true to his spouse, and fasted twice per week.  He did it all!  Or so one would think.  The other fellow was a tax-collector.  Tax collectors were despised in Jesus' time.  They were the lowest of the low because they were considered traitors.  This wasn't just an IRS agent.  This man collected taxes from his own people on behalf of the hostile occupying Roman government.  He was definitely shunned by his community.  

In Jesus' story, the religious leader thanked God that he was not "like this tax-collector".  What did the tax-collector say?  He looked to the ground and admitted his failings before the Lord.  For this humility, he went home justified before God.  The religious leader did not.  "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."  

Still, pride seems to be widely accepted by Christians while other behaviors are vehemently judged.  As followers of Christ, should we demonstrate the humble nature of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (and of Christ)?  The world does not recognize such humility.  But, I think we would do well to strive for this as a hallmark. 

A New Command

I can be narrow-minded.  Sometimes when I say "in my faith", I am referring to the people that believe and worship the same way that I do.  I may be referring to those that belong to the same denomination or maybe a larger group of followers that are dispersed throughout the many denominations of Protestantism and within Catholicism that generally profess their faith in the same manner as do I.  If I make this reference (in this manner), I am narrowing what it means to be of a follower of Jesus to fit within my definition.  

Sometimes, I can be even more narrow-minded by referring to people that are "in my church".  Considering the fact that the biblical definition of church is the entire body of Christ's followers, I am incredibly negligent in excluding followers that attend other "churches" when making this particular reference.  

These two references don't usually offend other followers because they are not meant to be negative.  Plus, they are used so prevalently by other followers.  But, these references might point to a problem within our faith (OK, this time "within our faith" truly does mean everyone that is on the journey to/with Christ).  The problem?  A lack of love.

Jesus said:  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).  Note:  I laughed as I copied-n-pasted this from Biblegateway.com because he repeated the command three times in this very short passage.  So, I think he meant it.

To our own chagrin, today's Christian isn't known for his/her adherence to this command - our tendency is to gravitate toward our differences and focus on those places of our disagreement.  The result is that we cast our judgement on others, disassociate ourselves from them and consequently, tend to shrink the church.  Let us open our hearts to all believers...yes, even to those that may be in a very different place within their journey than our own.  Perhaps by accident, we might be an attraction to those who do not yet believe.