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Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Luke 23:34
“They don’t know what they are doing.”
I was working in an internet city children’s program while in Bible College. I loved it, loved the kids, and truly enjoyed working in the multicultural setting. I learned a lot!
One time we were playing a game and one young man, in his excitement, screamed the name of Jesus! Mind you, this was a church run program, and I grew up in a very conservative, white, rural area. I was, needless to say completely taken back!
I’m not sure why I reacted as calmly as I did. I’m guessing the Holy Spirit has a lot to do with it. I called the young man over and asked him what he said and he told me very innocently. I put y hands on his shoulder and asked him if he knows what it meant. He didn’t. When I told him that was swearing his jaw dropped. He had no idea. He was very apologetic. After letting him know it was okay but let’s not say it again, he rejoined the group and has a great time.
Both of us learned a valuable lesson that night. He resided using the name of Jesus that way want s as god choice. I learned that we sometimes assume those who go against God’s ways aren’t always rebellious. Sometimes they are ignorant.
How would it change things in society if we responded to people who hurt, reject or misunderstand us if we realized they are acting in ignorance?
Before we judge perhaps we should teach. Before we hate, let’s show love and grace.
Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:24
What do you think is more foolish? Find the perfect spot to build your house. Collect all of the building materials and store them there? Or to find a place on the beach and build a house in an area that is susceptible to storms and destruction?
Neither option is very wise. In the first option, there is no shelter whatsoever. When the storms come, you have everything you need to be safe, but you haven’t put it together.In the second option, when the storm comes, what you have built is destroyed.
It’s one thing to have the right materials to build and have the right place to build on. It’s quite another to take those materials and actually build.
Jesus tells the story of two houses. Let’s assume that the building materials used to build these houses are exactly the same. They are high-quality, they are exactly what you need.
This story isn’t so much about the building materials or the location is it is what you do with the materials you have. Inactive faith is no faith at all.
Just before he tells the story about the two houses, Jesus warns those listening to him that there will be many who claim to know him, but he won’t know them, because they have not lived a life of active faith.
Following Jesus isn’t about knowing him, and knowing all sorts of scripture, and knowing all the right things to say. Following Jesus is having an active faith. Building a house of grace, of mercy, and of love. Building a house in which people can run to for shelter in the midst of the storm.
What can you do today to make your faith more active in the lives of those around you? What can you do today to start building a house that will withstand the strongest storms?
I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. John 12:47
I have a confession to make. Sometimes I have a hard time telling people that I am a Christian. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Jesus with all my heart. I believe him to be the Messiah, the son of the living God. I believe in his death, resurrection and that he is coming again. I believe that he has forgiven all of my sins past present and future. I believe the Bible to be the written, inspired and inerrant word of God.
So why do I sometimes hesitate to tell people I’m a Christian you ask? Because people naturally tend to label each other according to their beliefs, opinions or actions.
Humanity is, by nature, a very judgmental people. We tend to label people by their lifestyle, their political opinions, the political party they belong to, the version of the Bible they read, and the church they attend among many other things.
It’s sad to say, but many times we label people according to their sin. We may say, he’s an addict. We don’t say that he has a problem with addiction. It may sound the same, but the attitude is different.
I could go on about the many other ways that we put labels on people. Labeling people is really just a form of judgment.
It’s interesting, that Jesus says He doesn’t judge those who disobey him. While we tend to judge people if they disobey God, or if they hurt us. Jesus doesn’t. Jesus doesn’t label people!
He did not come to judge people. He came to show people life. He came to show them a better way. He came to be their light in the darkness.
One time after saying grace before our meal at a fast food restaurant, we were approached by a homeless man. I have to admit, I was very judgmental. I was angry. I wanted to have a quiet meal with my family, not be asked for money by a homeless vagrant.
I know, terrible of me, right? But it gets worse. He came up to me and told me how happy he was to see someone thanking Jesus for their food before eating in public.
He struggled with addiction. He struggled with mental illness. Yet in that short time, he let us know he loved Jesus.
So, who have you judged lately? What labels do you put on those people that are different than you? Are they the labels that Jesus would put on them? Are they labels of love or are they labels of judgment? He calls us to love all people regardless of their struggles.
For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. 1 Corinthians 1:17
The more I grow in Christ, the more I am aware and amazed at the dichotomy of the human mind versus the ‘mind of Christ.’ Biblical scholars of the past and present remind us that we can not be friends (followers) of the worldly (human) mindset and true disciples of Jesus.
Jesus tells us that and his brother James (among others) does as well.
“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” James 4:4
In his first letter to the church in Corinth Paul points out the futility of following after people rather than keeping our focus on the cross. It’s vital in the Christian walk to remember the centrality and power of the cross. It’s also important to remember that while the cross is a symbol of victory for the believer today, it was a symbol of humiliation, defeat and evil in Jesus’ day. That is dichotomy #1 by the way.
Paul reminds the Corinthian believers, and us, that at there is power in the cross, not weakness.
Here are some points to ponder about the power and dichotomy of the cross.
Human thought sees power in status; Jesus sees power in humility.
Human thought sees power in strength, Jesus sees power in weakness.
Human thought sees power in revenge, Jesus sees power in forgiveness.
Human thought sees power in experience , Jesus sees power in faith.
Human thought sees power in self reliance, Jesus sees power in trust.
The cross is weakness to the world, for us it is ultimate power. Don’t settle for the power of human thought. Live powerfully because of the cross of Jesus.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 