Mark 7
Martin Luther was known to have said
that there were two theologies at work in the world: theology of glory and theology of the
cross. The world and mankind are drawn
to the theology of glory.
The theology of glory says that I
contribute something, that I do something, that I have something to offer, that
I make a choice, even if it is ever so small.
This is us by our nature. We
often struggle with God’s grace asking, “What must I do?”
The Pharisees answered that question by
talking about following the traditions of the elders. But Jesus confronts that idea saying that by
putting up their traditions and their “good” behaviors, they had rejected God’s
command, they had lost his will. This
was because these were ideas and doctrines of men, and Jesus states very
explicitly that what comes out of a man is wickedness, and it therefore defiles
him … us.
What then shall we do? What is our hope if even our best works only
bring defilement? There is still
theology of the cross.
Theology of the cross recognizes our
sinful defilement and sees no remedy within us.
We need someone from the outside to cleanse, heal, and save us. This is the good news of Jesus’ death. The irony is that all of the things that look
so fine in our behavior turn out to be to our loss, and all that looked to be
Jesus’ loss and destruction, his humiliation and crucifixion, turns out to be
our salvation!
When the Syrophoenician woman came to
Jesus her argument to him was that she was in no way worthy of his aid or
comfort for her daughter. She was but a
beggar, fully dependent on Jesus’ choice.
Here is who we are before God. “Truly,
we are all beggars,” Luther commented.
There is no merit or worthiness within us that saves us. It is only God’s mercy delivered by faith in
Jesus’ cross and empty tomb.
But surely now we must contribute
something; do a good work for God!
No. What comes out of a person
defiles that person. It is only in
Christ – living under the cross, wholly dependent on him – that our actions can
give glory to God, for it is to God’s glory that we look to him knowing our
unworthiness to receive from him grace upon grace.
Lord, help me depend on you, and you alone,
and in you to share the hope that is within me; the hope of Jesus’ cross and
empty tomb. Amen.
Comments