Jesus tells a story of a man beaten and injured. But the leaders in his tribe pass by this man without helping. Surprisingly, a sworn enemy helps this beaten man to safety and pays for his care. Jesus reminds us that we can discover good behavior in other tribes (and poor behavior in our own).
Jesus is innocently praying when a corrupt, unjust government comes to arrest him. Everything about this situation is wrong. So Peter pulls out his sword to fight this injustice and protect Jesus, cutting off a Roman soldier’s ear. But Jesus tells Peter to put away his sword, rejecting the false theology of the Zealots. Instead, he heals the soldier’s ear. Jesus teaches us to overcome evil with good.
Jesus’ followers were not exempt from idolizing power. Jesus’ students argued on numerous occasions which of them was the greatest or should hold positions of power in Jesus’ kingdom. But Jesus had to correct their thinking. Jesus taught greatness was achieved through humility and service.
Jesus tells a story about a villain who plants weeds in a farmer’s field of wheat. The farmer’s employees ask the farmer if they should go and tear up the weeds. But the farmer says this would be destructive and foolish, as they would not be able to properly judge between the wheat and weeds. Jesus teaches us to grow peacefully alongside others and leave judgement up to God.
Jesus knew that we all are prone to self-deceit. Humans have a tendency to easily focus on the sins of others while ignoring the sins that live inside of us. So he illustrates this to us by telling us to first focus on the plank of wood in our own eye before trying to remove the splinter in the eye of someone else. Jesus teaches us to focus on fixing our own sins before we try and fix the sins of others.
Jesus’ students had all sorts of questions about faith and politics. One time they asked Jesus if they should pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked for a coin which was inscribed “Caesar, Son of God”. The coin said Caesar was God. Jesus responded by saying, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s.” In other words, the problem was not paying taxes, but elevating our politicians (and politics) to the status of God. Jesus teaches us not to idolize politics or politicians.
Jesus teaches that our words matter. In fact, he says that every person will have to give account for every idle word they speak on the day of judgement (this probably includes Facebook). But he takes this a step further by saying our words come from the overflow of our heart. Words are a heart issue. Jesus teaches us to search and guard our hearts.
How is your heart doing today? All of us are prone to letting the darkness of this world get inside of us. But the good news is God is willing and able to create in us a new heart and spirit.
Do you need God to do this in you today? If so, take some time to pray and ask Him for a new heart and spirit.
He will do this.
