Beware!

Luke 20:45-47

45While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46″Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

Just recently I have been on a forum on which are several denominations of Christian, a couple of Jews, an agnostic, at least 2 atheists…and others. During this last week 62 different people have posted on the thread called “Who Threatens Christians the Most?” The discussion has ranged quite far from the original question.

However, one point was made that I had not thought of before, and I know I need to. The question is what do Jews think of statements like the one which is above? I had not given any thought at all to what Jews thought about the New Testament when they read it. I am not going to tell anyone right now what they thought.

But I would like for those of you who read this to consider the question. I think it is an important one to address.

Another thing I will say is that the Jews and atheists could make their “case” for what they believed much better than the Christians could on the forum. In fact, the Christians disagree vigorously and sarcastically with one another. Every time one Christian would try to bring the discourse back to some kind of civility, another one of the Christians would become sarcastic and accuse those trying to be civil of “chickening out”. I was called, among other things, a micro cephalic nincompoop, and I received a B- as a “Sneering Christian”. I would have received an A had I told the other person he/she was going to hell and needed to be saved.

I would say that as a congregation of disciples we have a lot of work to do in any and all communities. And, no, I was not able to hold my position very well either…even among the Christians.

Carol

Bible Breath: Love your neighbor / As yourself