Forgiveness rules broken 70 times 7!
Jesus was always challenging his disciples to break any rule that came against the command to love. Peter, trying to sound all godly and spiritual, asked “ how many times should I forgive an offense, 7 times?” This was in reference to the jewish tradition of 7 being the perfect number, and many behaviors were built around that number. To forgive someone 7 times for same offense would look truly godly and worthy of respect and praise. Jesus breaks the rule by challenging him to forgiving 70 more times 7, or close to 500 times for the same offense. This just have shocked and humbled them all, as forgiveness in a shame culture was really hard to give. Generations fought to avenge the family feud that happened many years ago. One family member getting payback, leading to the other family to do the same. The cycle continues today with no end in sight, unless somebody is willing to break the rules, and forgive.
I have a similar forgiveness challenge. one that must have me close to the 500 mark by now. Nancy almost died when a doctor ignored her belly pain after surgery. She went septic, and fought for two months to live. That happened almost five ears ago. I hated what that man did to my wife, and I hated his lack of concern for her. God confronted me on my growing bitterness, and I was led to repentance and a heart healing that I really needed at that time. The man works out at the same gym I do, and I see him at least 2-3 times each week. Over time I am challenged by the Holy spirit to forgive, let go, and find peace. Most times I do ok, sometimes I fail and fall into a dark place of sadness, bitterness, and vengeance. God is there too, lovingly lifting me out of the darkness, and healing what I had over to him. Maybe you are challenged to break the family rule of unforgiveness, the corporate rule of no mercy to those who fail, or the cultural rules of limited engagement with those who aren’t perfect in our society. Maybe you’re not ready for the 70 time 7 challenge, but you are ready to forgive, once, today, just today. Jesus will take that, and over time, grow it into a lifestyle of forgiveness, mercy, grace, and freedom. Ok, who is first? Please God, not the grocery line guy, I just HATE it when he does that!
Healing untouchables
Jesus and the woman with the bleeding sickness.
Mark 5:23-32- She is tired of her illness, the pain and agony, but the social stigma as well. She was looked upon as unclean because her disease caused continuous bleeding, as sign to the religious that God was not with her. People pass on the other side of the street, giving her the furtive glances due an unclean person. Now, Jesus is coming down her street, past her house! So many people are around him, she can’t get close, but she tries. Pushing and shoving her way into the crowd, she makes a diving attempt to touch this new prophet. She manages to grasp his clothing as she is jostled out of the center of the crowd. All of a sudden, Jesus stops and asks ‘ who just touched me?’ Peter says with exasperation, ‘ master, everybody is touching you!’ Jesus clarified, saying, ‘ I felt power leave me as someone touched me. Please tell me who you are’.
Now the woman sheepishly comes forward and tells her story of pain and grief. Jesus listened in love, and sent her off with a blessing. The crowds only saw an unclean person being embraced by this new prophet. I imagine their feelings about Jesus changed when they saw this happen. The rules were clear, unclean people were not to be engaged, especially in public. Jesus breaks yet another social rule by not only engaged, but embracing the woman. The disciples could only see the needy masses. Their perspective was getting on to the next miracle, but Jesus could sense the desperate souls, looking for healing both external and internal. He knew where he was going, but He also knew that this one child of His needed to know that she was not forgotten by the one who sees and loves. That’s how He sees you right now, right here, as you read this blog.
He is looking at you, and loving all of you, the sacred, His own image, and the broken, bleeding parts that just won’t heal. He leans in, willing to heal if you will only reach out and touch Him. “ Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest…..”
We like optics, the way something looks, or the way a certain group wants to make it look. We talk about how the optics of an event can be changed to mean whatever the person changing it wants it to mean. Jesus’ apostles were focused on the optics of their time, Jesus was focused the people around him. Jesus broke many religious and social rules in order to share God’s love with the people around him. Where does Jesus want you to go? What social optics in he calling you to reject? Is it work with people less fortunate that you? Special needs children who look different? The single mom in the neighborhood working on her fourth illegitimate child? Are you willing to be judged by the religious elite, the social elite, or the educated elite in order to reach out to a person in desperate need? Listen to His call for you, and respond in passion for the person He calls you to love in His name.
