As I looked through the gospels to learn more about what incarnational living out to look like, I noticed some glaring omissions. This is not the way we would write the gospels in today’s church.
Jesus didn’t say much or even model much behavior about church/temple attendance or religious duties. There was surprisingly little on drinking, swearing, or sexual morality, and he said nothing at all about abortion or homosexuality. Jesus did talk about giving and serving, but those activities were mainly focused on the poor and those in need rather than giving to and serving the church/temple.
With regard to these omissions, I don’t think they’re missing because Jesus didn’t have any thoughts on those topics, but rather because they simply weren’t his main point. Is church attendance good? Sure, probably. I’m not saying these other issues don’t matter at all. But they are hardly central to living as Jesus did.
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. (Matthew 23:25-26)
This is a great post – a good reminder that sometimes the body of Christ is divided by little things and not attentive enough to the big things. Jesus said more about how we use our money and how we care for the poor and the oppressed than everything else combined. Those issues related to wealth and poverty, care for the poor and the oppressed, and helping the marginalized be connected and cared for should get the bulk of the church’s attention as well. Maybe posts like this will help us stop being overly moralistic and help us open our hearts and hands to the neighbors God gives us – whoever they may be.