Pastor Althea noted, perhaps prophetically, that the criticism poured against Jesus often originated from the community members deemed most wise and holy: the Pharisees. In Matthew 9:13, Jesus gave them a directive: Those of you who teach and lead others, guess what? Your hard work is falling flat; you have chosen to ignore the very ones who God wants you to rescue. Go back to study hall and reflect on what it means to be merciful.
Has the twenty-first century church, awash in technology, education, and performance, forgotten the value of mercy over sacrifice? Are we willing to go back to study hall and learn?
Matthew was doing a necessary work. Taxes had to be collected, and there had to be tax collectors who knew the language and culture of the people. But when Jesus passed by his desk, Matthew left the tax collection business in favor of the Jesus business.
On next Saturday, Reverend Linda Braaten will be at Bronx Bethany to share with us in fellowship and ministry. Here is a quote from her concerning her ministry:
"God confirmed His call on my life to Africa only after I resigned from my position as executive director of the charitable organization serving the victims of Chernobyl in Belarus to simply sit at the feet of Jesus."
Pastor Linda was doing a necessary work... a sacrificial work... and Jesus passed by her desk. She followed Him.
Where are you on the mercy-sacrifice continuum?
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