Articles
Forgiveness: Diverse responses to Jesus' message of forgiveness
This month's new Bible Studies are an example of how Biblical writers use unexpected contrasts to emphasise a point. Mark used them in his Gospel, Jesus in his parables and much of the Old Testament was written to encourage the People of God to behave in a way that was in stark contrast to the behaviour of their neighbours, to show they had been made holy - set apart by God.
In Mark Chapter 10 we read first of a wealthy young man with the world at his feet, who had lived a good life thus far and wished to obtain eternal life. After his discussion with Jesus he walked away sad, for his great wealth and power had become for him an idol which prevented him from wholeheartedly following Jesus. In contrast a few verses later, a blind beggar called Bartimaeus recognised Jesus as the Messiah and asked for healing. He approached Jesus in faith and followed him in gratitude. I can't help wondering if his name is remembered by Mark because he was a member of the early church known to Mark's readers, whose story and testimony were passed on in person and then in print. Between the stories of these two men Mark introduces another contrast. The zealous "Sons of Thunder", James and John seek glory while Jesus humbly gives up his life as a sacrifice for others.
The Kingdom of God was open to children (Mark 10:13-16) and beggars. Luke 23:39-43 reveals that the criminal crucified alongside Jesus was also welcomed into paradise. Jesus insists that in God's Kingdom the servant shall come first, and He leads the way into the Kingdom with humility. Paul encouraged the Philippians to imitate Christ who, "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:7&8)
In our "Messages from the Messiah" studies on Forgiveness we can see that Jesus saw contrasts and used them in his parables. Simon the Pharisee tries to contrast himself with someone known only as the woman "who had lead a sinful life". Rather than a contrast of piety, Jesus points out that the woman is more humble, hospitable, loving and grateful. She has had many sins forgiven and has found peace. She recognizes her Messiah. Her right response to the presence of Jesus is contrasted with Simon's arrogance, ingratitude and ignorance. Jesus further illustrates his point with two parables, contrasting servants who are forgiven much or little, and further insists that in forgiveness we are commanded to "go and do likewise", forgiving others as God has forgiven us. Paul's letter to the Colossians expands on this teaching about the cycle of forgiveness with Paul's exhortation to live in peace by forgiving one another our grievances and being thankful to God for our own forgiveness.
Paul encourages his readers to:
"...put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:10-12)
This final contrast is again unexpected. The contrast not between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female but in those who are being changed into the image of their Creator by imitating the kind, gentle, compassionate King of the new Kingdom, with love and gratitude for God's merciful forgiveness. The contrast is with their own earthly nature - the people they have been and the world amongst whom they are to shine as stars.
King Solomon prophesied but only dimly understood this when he explained to the people of Israel that they should approach God's temple for forgiveness, "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other." (1 Kings 8:60)
The challenge, as Christians, is to form a telling contrast which shouts out that we are the people of God's Kingdom, rather than being chameleons who fade into the background.