October 23, 2023 – Devotions – Does the Bible Say…?

Does the Bible Say “Do Not Judge?”

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

There is a television show I have run into, more like crashed into while I was looking for something “decent” to watch – which usually felt like a losing battle. Anyway, I remember watching just a brief sample of this show when a woman would repeatedly say “Don’t judge me”. Have you ever said that: “Don’t judge me?” Is it biblical? Well, sort of – but it has been taken out of context for so long I don’t think people will believe you if you try to correct them. Let’s consider a few angles on this text.

First of all, for anyone to say to another “Don’t judge me because the bible says you aren’t supposed to judge a person” – well, they are in the act of judging the other person to whom they are uttering those words. You are in the act of pronouncing judgment upon another person when you say “Don’t judge me” – for you are acting in premeditation expecting them to judge you. Good G-d almighty, have I made my point?

Second, the bible does not simply say: “Do not judge…” – the scripture above says “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” And in just another verse Jesus says “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.”

It appears that this text is not about judgment, it is about hypocrisy. We are not supposed to be so quick to judge the words or actions of another person until we have our own spiritual and behavioral house in order. In john 7:24, Jesus says “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” If you read a few verses before that passage, Jesus is judging the Jews and the religious leaders telling them they have not kept the law. And he concludes his argument with the words “..judge with righteous judgment.” And this appears to be the key. Jesus is charging all of us to be careful of hypocritical behavior – and hypocritical judgment.

We cannot live in a world without judgment – this is why we have court systems and people who are supposed to be steeped in-laws and “right” punishments. And those who judge are supposed to expect to be judged with the same judgment they have meted out on others. As Christians we are called to rebuke, when it is necessary – but not in a manner where we believe we are more righteous or are “better” people. If we always remember that we are all “sinful and unclean” and that Jesus teaches us to “…judge with righteous judgment”, then our relationships in the church and in the secular world may be just a little better. Perhaps it is better to leave the judging to G-d, and to be careful and prayerful with our rebuking. And in the meantime make sure we have our spiritual and behavioral houses in order. Good G-d Almighty, don’t judge……

Pastor Dave

October 24, 2023 – Devotions – Does the Bible Say…?

Does the Bible Say “The Lord Will Fight Your Fights – Just Be Still?”

“As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 14:10-16

This chapter and verse causes us to think back to the Israelites, and their initial journey out of Egypt. Thinking back to our expanding band of Israelites, Moses, with a lot of help from the Lord, had finally convinced Pharaoh to let them leave. But the Israelites are not far off when Pharaoh has a change of heart. He pursues them to the point where the people are trapped between the Red Sea and the advancing army of Egypt. In their fear the Israelites began to cry out to Moses that they would have been better off had they never left Egypt. In the NIV translation, Moses responds by telling them not to fear, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still. It is a saying that has been printed on t-shirts, bumper stickers, posters, and the like so much it has lost its original meaning. Too many people turn to this verse thinking that if they just wait for the Lord to act in their lives, if they just sit still, the Lord will deliver them from whatever trial they are facing. But, unfortunately, this is not the kind of “being still” the text is talking about. In fact, if you look up different translations, you will find this verse has different interpretations:

The New King James and the ESV translate the verse as “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace,” and, “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent,” respectively.

The Hebrew word translated here does not have an English equivalent, but means all of the things stated in those translations…to be still, peaceful, and silent. As such, the verse has nothing to do with the people sitting still – and has everything to do with the people remaining calm. Which then sets up the next verse which reads: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” (Exodus 14:15)

That’s right – the Lord tells them to move on. Why would the Lord tell Moses to tell the Israelites to sit still in one breath, and in the next breath tell them to “get going”? Because, the people were told not to sit still, they were told to be calm. To understand one verse you have to read the second with it – and when you do it becomes clear that we are being told that our reaction to mounting trials should be two-fold. First, we are to remain calm and remain steadfast in our hearts. We are to trust the LORD will always fight for us. But don’t stop there. We, then, must move in faith. Don’t stand still! God says, Get moving!!!

Pastor Dave

October 21, 2023 – Devotions – Does The Bible Say…?

Does the Bible Say “Thou Shalt Not Kill?”

“Moses convened all Israel, and said to them: Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I am addressing to you today; you shall learn them and observe them diligently. The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. Not with our ancestors did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today. The Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the fire. And he said: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder.” Deuteronomy 5:1-17 (not inclusive)

It is true, not all killing is murder. That may seem hard to accept, especially anyone who thinks that killing animals for people to eat is a type of “murder”. However, if you have read even small parts of the Old Testament, you will understand that there is plenty of “G-d directed” killing – when the people come in to possess the Promised Land; and when the Israelites are in battle with their enemies, like when David kills Goliath.

There are two different Hebrew words used for the taking of life— “harag” is translated as “to kill”, and “ratsach” which is translated as murder. The word used in the 6th commandment is ratsach and implies the premeditated taking of human life, typically out of malice. The word harag is the term generally used for the killing of animals and the ruthless personal violence of man against man. Even in the Old Testament there was a distinction between “premeditated” murder and the unintentional killing of another human. For example we have this passage from Joshua 20:5 “Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand”. The manslayer could flee to a designated city for protection from an avenger.

The Old Testament is hard for many people to read and understand because there is so much violence, and killing, and it seems to be “G-d-ordained” or “G-d-permitted” killing. And I must agree, it is hard to wrap our heads around those stories. As far as we know from the biblical witness, Jesus never called for a holy war against the Roman occupying forces – nor did he advocate attacking his most ardent detractors. In fact he rebuked Peter for cutting off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. All murder certainly involves killing, but not all killings are considered murders. Murder represents an unlawful killing. Soldiers who kill in combat during the course of a “just” war, for example, kill their enemies — but such killings have not typically been considered murder. Of course the argument will always be “What is considered a “just” war?” Similarly, a state may execute murderers for their crimes, but the representatives of such states would not see their execution as equivalent to someone bashing in the heads of a family with the blunt end of an axe. In both of these examples, the “just” war, and the execution of a murderer, the killing is done by representatives of the state and are therefore, technically, legal. But there is also a moral distinction in these examples. In some cases, private citizens can kill someone without charge. A car driver may accidentally hit a jaywalking pedestrian, killing them — but this is not seen as “murder.” Similarly, a woman may shoot an attacker in self-defense, killing them — but killing in self defense is not typically seen as murder.

In the New Testament Jesus seems to teach just the opposite stance – because he was a teacher of “non-violence”. Jesus taught: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:38-39, 43-44).

Pastor Dave

October 22, 2023 – Pentecost +20A

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.” Matthew 22:15-22

In the book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, the reader is introduced to something called the Babel Fish (an obvious take on the story of the Tower of Babel). The Babel Fish is interesting and amazingly useful – when inserted into a person’s ear, it allows that individual to hear any conversation that is not in their native tongue, translated into their native tongue. So, if I read this passage in Greek, and you had a Babel Fish in your ear, the Greek would be translated into English and you would understand every word that I spoke including the nuance of that Greek word. Just imagine how the bible could open up to each one of us if we had such a device. Of course that is the purpose of a pastor’s interpretation, so let’s see how I do.

This text from the Gospel of Matthew deals with an exchange between some Pharisees, some Herodians, and Jesus. The Pharisees, of course, were members of the most important and influential religious and political parties within Judaism. The Herodians are a separate Jewish sect who do not believe in the resurrection of the body, but more importantly are supporters of the Herod dynasty and, in that sense, allied themselves with the Roman State against Jesus when advantageous. As such, these two groups are linked politically and are opportunistic. So they are trying to trip up Jesus – to get him to speak publicly against either Jewish law and practice, or against Roman law and practice. “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”, they ask Jesus. You see, even in the first century, the question and controversy of paying taxes was on the mind of the people. And, of course, when you are living under an “occupation”, paying taxes to that occupying force sure does not sit very well. How will Jesus answer this vexing question?

Of course, Jesus answers like he often answers, by asking a question. First he asks for a coin. And then he says, “Whose image is this, and whose title?” In asking that question, Jesus has spoken “THE” word that the Babel Fish would have instantaneously made you aware of the brilliance of Jesus’ question. Let me elaborate…And let’s start in the beginning. In the first book of the bible, in Genesis, we learn that God made Adam in HIS image – in fact makes all of humanity in HIS image – in the IMAGE of God.

“So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

As the Rabbi’s would in every case of a text from the Torah, they would develop a teaching that they would include in the Talmud (a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish laws, philosophy, customs and history). Here is the teaching they developed on Adam being created in God’s image:

“Adam, the first human, was created as a single person to show forth the greatness of the Ruler who is beyond all rulers, Blessed Holy One. For if a human ruler…mints many coins from one mold, they all carry the same image, they all look alike. But the Blessed Holy One shaped all humans in the Divine image, as Adam was…and yet not one of them resembles another.”

The Rabbi’s drew an analogy between the image that Caesar, a human ruler, puts on the coin in his realm, and the image that God, the Divine Infinite Ruler, puts on you and me. In other words, the very diversity of human faces that you see around you today shows the limitlessness of the unlimited Creator – whereas the uniformity of Caesar’s coins highlights the limitations of the emperor – a human ruler. We are not all minted from the same mold, in other words. In fact, for some of us, they broke the mold….Amen?

But what does that all matter? Well, you need to insert your Babel Fish now, because there is one word that this text turns on. It is the word that the NRSV translates as “Head” – the Greek word is “Eikon”. Yes, it can be translated as head, like the image on a coin. But it can also mean the embodiment or the living manifestation of God in form or appearance, which is how the Genesis text is to be understood – we are all created in the image of, or in the living embodiment or living manifestation of God. So, we can look at this text this way. Jesus says, “Whose image is on this coin?” as he points to the Denarius. And then he looks right at the person who originally asked the question about taxes, and Jesus points to his chest, and says, “Whose image is on you?” And then he looks at you and me, Jesus does, and asks “Whose image is imprinted on you, and on you, like Abe Lincoln on the Penny?” In other words, the image that we wear on the outside tells others who we give authority to in our life. If money is your main focus in life, then you have a dollar sign imprinted on you. If being famous is your main focus, then you have a “YouTube” logo on your chest.

So who do you wear on the outside – or what image is stamped on your very being? If you are wearing the robe of faith through Jesus Christ, then people will know who has authority in your life. Those with ears, I hope you are listening.

Pastor Dave