Hi, friends. Lately, I’ve been reading the Gospels again (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). As I am more mentally, physically, and spiritually mature than I’ve been in past readings, I’ve realized how the overabundant grace of Jesus infuriates people repeatedly because they are stuck on this worldly, self-righteous perception of fairness. Today, those who claim to follow Jesus are often guilty of the same hard heart.
The theme of generosity recurs a countless number of times in the Gospels, so I will provide just three examples:
- Luke 7:36-50— A woman was anointing Jesus’ feet and bathing them with her hair as she wept. The Pharisee eating with Jesus thought to himself that, if Jesus were really a prophet, He would know the woman is a sinner. Jesus then tells a parable of a creditor who forgave two of his debtors–one who owed a lot, one who owed a little–and asked, which debtor would be more grateful? The Pharisee rightly guessed the one who owed a lot would most appreciate the creditor’s mercy. In the end, Jesus says, “Her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love.”
- Matthew 20:1-16— Jesus tells the parable of a landowner who hired some labourers to tend to his vineyard for the day. That afternoon, he hired more labourers to finish out the day. At the day’s end, the all-day labourers were jealous and angry that the half-day labourers made the same wage as them. The landowner said to one of the all-day labourers, “Friend, I’ve done you no wrong; did you not agree to this wage for your day’s work? Are you envious of my generosity?”
- Luke 15:11-32— Jesus tells the parable of a father with two sons. The younger son asked for his father’s inheritance early, then he went out and squandered it all on sinful living. Meanwhile, the older brother lived with the father and was a loyal son. A famine struck the land, and the younger son returned home in desperation, planning to work for his father to earn food; however, when his father saw him coming up the road, he put together a party and welcomed him home with joy. The older son was jealous and angry, but the father said, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice because your brother was lost and is now found.”
Do you side with the Pharisee, the all-day labourer, the loyal son? Their arguments are more rational.
Did the sinful woman deserve to be forgiven? Did the half-day labourers deserve the wage of the all-day labourers? Did the prodigal son deserve to be welcomed home?
Forgiveness, mercy, and generosity–summed up by the word “grace”– are highly irrational. Jesus didn’t ration His love, and He condemned those who thought He should.
In the words of Rev. James Howell, Jesus doesn’t bend to our “human schemes of deserving.” These parables use different situations/symbols to convey a point: we are equally loved. Like the prodigal son’s father, He welcomes all his children back home with open arms, no matter the circumstances that precede them.
A lot of credit goes to Agent X for his biting satires that compel me to examine the contempt in my heart. Fat Beggars School of Prophets ministers to the homeless, some of whom might identify as the younger son or the woman washing feet with her hair. Though, of course, plenty of upstanding church-goers are the Pharisee.
Jesus gave it all. Do you know how to give love and forgiveness without counting the cost? We must pray for the Lord to show us grace.
Thanks for reading. God bless you!
So inspiring!! Yes, we can all examine our hearts for mercy as well as jealous rationality. What I am quite aware of is that LOVE can GROW the more it is given. One does not become poor in mercy and love by gracefully giving it away, there is no limit!
-MB
isgodevenreal.wordpress.com
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I like how you said that love grows the more it is given! The more I pursue God, the more everything seems to grow– love, faith, mercy, understanding, discernment, etc.
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Thank you for the gentle reminder of God’s all sufficient grace that gives us strength to show His grace.
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Thank you for reading! We cannot perfect the fruits of the spirit on our own–but God’s grace is sufficient.
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Excellent! Love this: “Forgiveness, mercy, and generosity–summed up by the word “grace”– are highly irrational. Jesus didn’t ration his love, and he condemned those who thought he should.”
Also, I’m big fan of Agent X and Fat Beggars. A great man of God who speaks the truth.
Be blessed. God is in a good mood.
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Thank you for reading, Michael! You are right– God is in a good mood.
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Reblogged this on Fat Beggars School of Prophets and commented:
Oh Snap! When Lily watches Jesus at work, she drops the heavy on us! I am so moved by this. Thanx, Lily, for your powerful witness. And to any of my readers…. please pay her a visit.
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Reblogged this on Thoughts on culture, politics and more and commented:
Tremendous insight from Lily. Also a great shout out to Agent X at Fatbeggers. https://fatbeggars.wordpress.com/
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thanks for your interesting writing!
best regards from Italy
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Thank you for the support! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Hard Times Ministries and commented:
Lily gives more power to Agent X and His Call that is all of ours.
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This is excellent Lily. It just goes to show that His ways are not our ways, and that we need to spend more time walking like Jesus, not just talking about Jesus. Great perspective as always my sister!
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Good words here, Lily. It reminds me of a discussion Wendy and I have been having regarding a silly stir about the currently popular worship song “Reckless Love.” Theological types are rationally calling it inappropriate (e.g. God is never “reckless”) but the point is exactly as you’ve stated here. Grace is not rational, it might even be seen as “reckless” to those who are rationally bent. Thanks for your post (and your visits to my site).
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Amen!❤️ We need to be doers of the Word, not just hearers!
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It’s all easier said than done! 🙂
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The points you bringout regarding God’s grace are articulate. Life is the ultimate love test; if it’s not in there, the Lord will reveal it.
There is a scripture in Hosea (you know the prophet the Lord called to marry an unfaithful wife) that I call the ‘911 call to Heaven’ – it’s Hosea 11:9. It’s worth looking up. And as your post so well points out, things always look differently when comparing man’s & God’s perspective. How is that? Because God is God and not man! Blessings.
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Thanks so much for reading, David! I will look up that verse. 🙂
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Thank you, my sweet lady. I think you are the best on earth. you have inspired my friend, Agent x of Fat Beggars and I thought you were the best before that, even.
thank you again for you, being you. I think you are the greatest of them all. Tom I am so proud to even know you.
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Thank you so much, Tom! 🙂
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I really love this post! That final question that you posted really resonates with me because I have been too rational in my faith walk and it shouldn’t be like that! Yes, God gave me common sense and ability to think and pray through life situations but rationality is sometimes an idol for me and I know that with Jesus, nothing should really be rational!
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Thank you, hun! So true that rationality can be an idol–never thought of it quite like that before 🙂
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Amen Lily! God Grace and love knows no bounds; neither should ours…
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Reblogged this on Removing The Veil and commented:
When I see Truth, I share it. This post has a lot of Truth. Great work Lily!
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I agree that human rationality is problematic, and that Jesus didn’t ration his kindness, but there’s also a place for godly wisdom, and Jesus most surely demonstrated plenty of that. I appreciate the reminder of God’s sufficient grace! Something we all need!
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