Dave Dishman

Religion carries do’s and don’ts, like avoiding certain foods, or abstaining from alcohol, or giving a set amount of income. At times these serve as performative worship, showing God (and others) just how good we can be. Many religious leaders in Jerusalem participated heartily in such practices. Jesus, however, would have none of their disingenuous devotion.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

Those targeted by Jesus failed to comprehend the most important parts of the law. While good at giving the exact amount required, they missed out on justice, mercy and faithfulness, concepts central to the law of Moses. Wrongs getting righted, evil punished, innocent protected, help extended to the helpless—all decisive truths neglected in the pursuit of parsing spices.

Without canceling the tithing of their goods, Jesus pointed to a deeper way. The outward trappings of religion make for good theatre, but without the heart behind them it’s all for show. Let’s not lose sight of the weightier things in the midst of our religious activities.

Matthew 23:23

Photo by Anju Ravindranath

I delved into the world of online commerce this week. My wife and I are replacing an old sectional and chair. I listed the items on a local buy and sell site, because what better way to get rid of your unwanted furniture than to have someone hand you cash and then haul it away? The info went out in the afternoon and I heard from several interested people by the next morning.

Online selling opens to door to a huge audience, thousands of people in the North Denver area alone. It’s easy to share photos and videos, and even read reviews on the buyers (no one wants a scammer showing up at their door). It’s a nice way to connect with a person looking for a cheap couch.

I’m reminded of the story Jesus told about hidden treasure: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Along with furniture, folks search online listings and garage sales and estate auctions looking for hidden treasure. The thrill is in the hunt, and the persistent occasionally discover something wonderful.

Yet how much more wonderful is the kingdom of heaven! Discoverable, waiting to be found, this marvelous treasure is ours if we decide to go looking. The joy of the find will outmatch any we ever experience. Don’t hesitate, it’s time to start the search.

Matthew 13:44

In the days before his arrest, Jesus shared these words with his disciples: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?

Don’t you imagine this statement rang in the ears of those men as they watched Jesus carry his own cross to Golgotha? The cross was an instrument of death. Jesus told his closest followers, bring your instrument of death along, because you will die for me. Die they did. Only one of the twelve lived on to old age while the rest were martyred, including Peter crucified upside down on his own cross.

What motivated such bravery and devotion? Meeting the resurrected Jesus and experiencing the powerful indwelling of the Holy Spirit flipped a switch. Fear succumbed to confidence. Even violent mobs bent on silencing these emissaries of God failed to dampen their resolve.

Following Jesus still leads to death. Death to reputation, death to acceptance, death to friendships, death to likes, death to promotion, and even physical death in some places. But when I determine to identify with Jesus, full-speed ahead and not caring who knows, my angst fades. Whatever I lose, I lose. So be it. Resolve fuels fearlessness—what can anyone do to me?

It’s actually freeing to take up the cross. As you look your community square in the eye and let people know you follow Jesus, you’ll gain your soul and the souls of others. Nothing greater exists in this marvelous world of ours. Jesus calls us to go all in, and in so doing experience the wonders of a life with him.

Matthew 16:24-26

Photo by Nikola Tomašić

Hosea, in the last breath of his prophetic message to the nations of Israel and Judah, closed with this plea: Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them.

The wise walk in the ways of the Lord. The discerning take a long look at the world around them and notice that people who follow the teachings of the Bible live better lives. Not perfect lives, nor lives free from heartache or anguish or tragedy, just better. Better relationships. A growing ability to love others. Calmness of soul. Hope.

Take a long look around for yourself. Go below the surface. Get past the bling bought by money and notoriety. What do you find appealing? An astute observer will discover that people quietly following the Lord enjoy lives to emulate. Then a discriminating person will shift his or her life in the same direction. Be wise, keep the faith, and a life you’re proud to live will follow.

Hosea 14:9

Photo by Gadiel Lazcano