One Faithful Leader

A reason for democracy is the abject failure of every other form of human government. When human leaders abuse or dishearten us, at least in a democracy we can vote them back out of office. The great weakness of democracy is that there is a constant need to change leadership, because the next person we vote in will only disappoint us too. On the way to the cross, we read a litany of human leadership failures. Roman and Jewish leadership was brutal, vicious and double-dealing. Even Church leadership that Jesus had trained for three long years failed miserably (Matthew 26:14-27:66). When the rest failed, he stood the test and did not quit until he had paid the penalty for all of us. We can only forgive fallible human leadership while looking to Jesus as history’s one faithful leader.

Where to find Forgiveness

When Judas repented of his betrayal of Jesus, the words used are not much different than those used of Peter. However, Peter found forgiveness. Judas did not. Why? Judas went to the wrong place. He went to the chief priests and elders (Matthew 26:14-27:66). Their reply showed their callousness, “What is that to us?” Judas could not even forgive himself and committed suicide. There is a place to go to find forgiveness. Peter found that place, and the forgiveness was so profound that it allowed him to become a great leader of the Church. The place of forgiveness is with God and the people of God. If a church will not forgive, like those hard-hearted elders long ago, we are in the wrong church. When we are unforgiven even by ourselves, there is a place to find it.

Money and Pastors

Money Matters
in Church

This is a touchy subject. However, I have always believed that how congregation members value their pastor reveals how much they value the gospel. When a preacher goes up to the annual conference or church convention, what attitudes do the people have to the accommodation? What attitudes are there towards salary, expenses and even small luxuries? In Matthew 26:14-27:66 we read about several different extremes of attitude towards Jesus and the delicate topic of money. The worst attitude of all was that of Judas who betrayed his teacher for blood money. The most positive attitude of all was that of a woman who anointed Jesus’ head with a very expensive perfume. Even the disciples were critical of such a waste of money blessing their leader rather than giving it to the poor. Is there a time for both?

Two Betrayers

Judas

Experiencing betrayal at some point in our lives is common. Whether a friend reveals private information or a spouse breaks marriage vows, betrayal hurts, deeply. Breaking trust even happens in the Christian community. Before his death on the cross, Jesus was betrayed by friends who he loved (Matthew 26:14-27:66). Even harder than being stabbed in the back is forgiveness of the one who did so, yet forgiveness is a distinction of the Christian life. In the Our Father, we pray for God’s forgiveness AS we forgive those who trespass against us. Peter’s unfaithfulness was probably due to fear, whereas Judas’ double crossing contained some measure of greed. Neither act of treachery was unforgivable by God, yet their regret took them in two very different directions. We have all betrayed God. He is always willing and ready to forgive.

Consumerism and Worry

One of the greatest causes of worry today are our possessions and the inability to curb spending. We endlessly lust for more and place ourselves in debt. We are not content with food and water as God created it, but pay exorbitant prices for processed foods and sugar water. We believe in the pursuit of happiness and not the pursuit of the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Yet, only the pursuit of the things of God can bring lasting happiness. In Matthew 6:24-34 Jesus addressed our mixed up priorities. We have been deluded to believe that an itinerant preacher with no fixed abode was probably the saddest person on earth, yet Jesus claimed to be blessed beyond anything that materialism can offer. Consumerism goes hand in hand with worry. Pursuing the things of God helps us worry less.

Permanent Vacation from Worry

It would have been an ideal vacation spot, every need supplied, idyllic and beautiful, delicious and wholesome natural foods constantly available, peaceful and serene. The good thing was that they never had to leave and yet they were dissatisfied and broke the rules. They were expelled and our world has been trying to return to the Garden of Eden ever since. The very reason that we take vacations is that our world does not satisfy. We seek a temporary escape from our daily worries, yet vacations end and we must return. In Matthew 6:24-34 Jesus taught us how to escape this world’s slavery to worry, seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness. The pursuit of shallow fashions and appetites cannot really provide lasting relief from anxiety. When our priorities are right, we can take a permanent vacation from worry.

The Constant Priority

In Matthew 6:24-34 Jesus said seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. What does that mean? It contradicts the view of some missionaries that food and shelter are the first priorities and that spiritual pursuits can only be taught once those basic necessities are met. For Jesus, teaching that God is provider of even primary needs, is an important first lesson. It is necessary, in a cynical world, to note that Jesus did not teach just pray and do nothing. His lesson here is rather that our priority in all that we do ought to be to seek to live under God’s rule, now, not just in the future. Jesus’ promise then is that when we do place God’s reign and his righteousness as the constant priority in our lives, he will provide all our basic needs.

Worry or Generosity

Jesus suggested living a life of generosity. But, if we do so, who will provide for us? Jesus taught a secret ingredient to the generous life (Matthew 6:24-34) — don’t worry. We may be tempted to think that generosity is a luxury, that only those who have all the food and clothing they need or want can afford. We allow worries over such things to stop us from living life. Life is more important than attire and appetite. Fashion and dietary worries can so control our lives that we don’t really live. Are we slaves to worry? Jesus wants us to live free from the anxiety that troubles others. God values us highly. Look how he provides abundantly for wildlife. He will for us too. Why would God not provide for us! Worry never accomplished anything, but God can.

Therefore don’t Worry

Why did Jesus say therefore don’t worry in Matthew 6:24-34? The word therefore implies that worry is a chief cause of our natural devotion to money. Jesus connects worry and faith. Maslow theorized that survival needs must be met before transcendent ideas can be entertained. Not everyone agrees with Maslow. Jesus challenged his disciples to a faith which transcends daily anxieties even before they are fulfilled. Most people today have willingly accepted a modern variety of slavery. We work so many hours or pieces, we take off only when the company says we can, and we take what they want to pay us, like it or lump it. Why do people stay? Because of the threat of loss of income, health care benefits, and indirectly self-esteem, marriage, home and status. Only faith can set us free from money worries.

The Money Trap

Money is a necessary but dangerous commodity. Jesus highlighted its trap in Matthew 6:24-34. The peril lies in how we prioritize money. Do we serve money or does it serve us? We can tell if we are slaves to money by how many hours it takes us away from God and family, and if it asks us to compromise proper ethical standards and we give in. Do we love money? We can tell how much we love money if we have more passion pursuing it than the things of God and family, and if we idolize the rich and despise the poor. Are we devoted to money? We can tell how much we are devoted to money by comparing it to our devotion to God and family, and if our loyalty is to money ahead of God and family.