Pentecost 4, Proper 5 -- Jesus the Lawbreaker

Ever notice how Jesus was always in trouble with the law?

Usually it was because he was upholding a different standard--a higher standard--than the religious lawgivers and officials in 1st century Judea; it's just that they couldn't see it. They were trying essentially to "be good enough" to earn God's favor, to earn their way into heaven, and looked down on anyone who was a moral failure. Jesus understood that we are all moral failures, when you get right down to it, and all stand in need of God's grace and mercy...so he set about always and everywhere practicing that mercy and forgiveness, and reconciling people with God.

Therefore, he was often found hanging out with "bad" people, unacceptable people, dirty people, socially-suspect people, powerless people, sick people, wounded people, hopeless people. Jesus hung out with people who KNEW they were broken, and FELT their need, and often came to him seeking grace and acceptance when they couldn't find it anywhere else.

And the earn-your-way-to-heaven crowd didn't like that one bit.

Where are we in this picture? What do we believe about ourselves, our innate goodness, or badness, our need? Who do we look down upon , and judge? Who do we show mercy to? Do we accept our own undeniable need for grace? Do we resent it when others receive grace....cuz they "don't deserve it"? If you are like me, these are tough questions to answer...because the truth hurts, when we really examine our prejudices!

Prayer of Confession for Pentecost 4

Father in Heaven, like Matthew, we have sought security through money, and have at time been selfish and greedy. Forgive our lack of trust in Your power. Like the Pharisees, we have acted “holier-than thou” sometimes, seeing the speck in other's eyes and not the log in our own. Forgive our self-righteousness and help us depend upon Your mercy. Like the sick woman and Jairus, we have found ourselves in need of healing, but been short of faith in Your power. Forgive our faithless ways, and stir our souls with greater and more fervent trust. Forgive our unbelief, and help us follow You like Abraham all our days. Amen.