January 11, 2022 – “Red Tape” (Luke 18:1-8)

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

“Red Tape”

This is a very common idiom in our 21^st century world – especially since if you have ever tried to deal with the government, you soon see how overly-complicated some processes have become. We use the term “red tape” to denote anything that may delay us, hold us up, like extra, meaningless paperwork, or whatever the process may be, or the unnecessary bureaucracy we encounter. It appears that this term originated from the fact that legal and official documents were tied up or bound with actual, red tape since the 16th century. By doing so, it was often difficult to access them. Hence, the term “red tape.”

The parable of the “Unjust Judge” is a parable Jesus tells about our need to not give up or lose heart when it comes to our relationship with G-d – especially our use of prayer.

Persistence is the key. What happens to most people is this: the red tape of life gets in the way of our prayer life and our study of scripture. What do I mean? Well, we always start off a “prayer schedule” or a “bible reading plan” with all of the best intentions. But then one day we are too tired. The next day we don’t feel well. And soon we realize we are so far behind we just give up.

Jesus says to all of us – do not give up. Be persistent with your prayer life and do not lose heart with your faith. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart….” the writer of Proverbs 3 says. It is our trust in the faith we have that will get us through the red tape of life.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we are surrounded by the ultimate red tape – the sin we think and do each and every day. Thank you for being our hope that the red tape of sin will not bind us to eternal death. Amen.

Pastor Dave

January 10, 2022 — “Loophole” (Luke 23:1-7)

“Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. ² And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.” Luke 23:1-7

“Loophole”

As an idiom, a loophole is defined as a way of getting out of something or escaping a difficulty – it is especially used when we try to find a legal technicality that allows someone to evade compliance. So, where did this term originate from? Well, a loophole, in the middle ages, was a small slit-like opening in a castle wall that men would fire their bows or musketeers through. The only openings in a seemingly impenetrable wall were these slits which a child or small adult could squeeze through. Thus, a loophole is a small opening, or an “out,” in a seemingly airtight law, which only the clever few can use.

Pilate takes time to interview Jesus. He asks Jesus “Are you the king of the Jews?” There are several ways Jesus could have answered this question. He could have said “No!” – thus avoiding a horrible death. He could have said many other things, but he said simply, “You have said so.” How he expressed this phrase we can only speculate – whether there was disdain in his voice – or confidence. Either way, Jesus did not try to find a loophole to get out of his fate – he stood by while those who hated him cried “Crucify him”. And then he carried his own cross to Golgatha.

Too often we try to find loopholes instead of dealing with our failures and failings head on. All I can say is thank the Lord Jesus did not look for a way out – because his death and resurrection is my way out of eternal death.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, I know your death means I have no need to fear death. Help me this day to remember to look forward to the coming of the kingdom of G-d. Amen.

Pastor Dave