Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV
I'm almost getting tired of answering that question to be honest. It never fails, when I share with someone that I am a christian one of their very first questions is always "Well, what church do you belong to?" Yet, these very same christians will somehow become offended when I tell them that I belong to the church of Christ Jesus. I'm not really being sarcatic by anwering this way, just keeping it real. Honestly, it is the church of Jesus which I belong to. Not only that, it is the church of Jesus which all believers claim membership in. I have not attended a congregational church for more than a few years, yet I go to church each sunday. In my opinion, bigger churches equate to bigger issues I'd rather not deal with. I can do without the politics, traditions and unique spins which humans have incorporated into the modern church. More than a few people have asked me if we could ever have a church without all the trappings of the institutional church. My first response is...definately! In fact, the very first believers were unique in that they shared, broke bread and gathered in each others homes to celebrate the risen Christ. Are we that far removed from these early believers? I would say not at all. The beliefs and knowledge of what is truly important is still there with us today as it was with these early christians. Jesus has not changed, it is we who have changed over the years in the way we worship Him. In a way, we have gotten back to the structured worship services which we typically find see in the temples of Jesus' day. Of course, Jesus Himself was not a huge fan of that traditional style. I don't blame Him, for if we follow this model then Jesus may just take a backseat to those traditions we've created for ourselves. Perhaps that's why I continue to get strange looks when I tell others I don't attend a church.
1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’seat. 3“Therefore whatever they tell you ato observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7“greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
Matthew 23: 1 - 7 NKJV
I don't think it's a secret just how Jesus felt about those who led the temples of His day. What part of 'woe to you' and 'vipers' wouldn't people understand? Was this the loving Christ we've all been told about? Most definately. For Jesus wasn't criticizing the temples or those who worshipped Him. No, what Jesus had issues with were the so called leaders of these temples. These men of the cloth were the ones who walked throughout the cities in their traditional garments fully expecting the reverence of the people. Indeed, they were often praised as 'Rabbi' as they were greeted by the people. Tell me, how many of these men of the temple would swell with their own pride as they received the adoration of the people? THIS is the issue which Jesus had with those who ran the temples. In Matthew 23 we see a scathing rebuke from Jesus upon these Jewish Pharisee and saducee officials. Rightfully so, Jesus warned those who were listening not to call anyone 'Rabbi' or 'father.' For there is but one teacher, who is Jesus. Likewise, there is but one Father, that is our Father in heaven. The issue which I would have with these men of the temple is that they were taking the focus away from where it needed to be. God had suddenly taken a back seat to our own traditions. Yet some people are still amazed by this rebuke of Jesus. I'm not. I look at the interactions which Jesus had with His own disciples and see the true meaning of church. Jesus and His followers around a fire or beside a lake learning from their teacher. The disciples had no worship bands, confessions or ornate buildings, yet they grew in their own relationship with Jesus each and every day. After all, isn't that His ultimate desire for us?
19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2: 19 - 22 NKJV
~Scott~
No comments:
Post a Comment