Matthew 10
Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you
out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as
doves.” What do you think of that passage?
This is part of
the Christian life that we have not dealt much with in U.S. America. In part
this is because of the respected place our faith had in the founding of our
county. Another reason we have not dealt with this much is because of the way
the message of Christianity has been co-opted by a theology of glory that gives
the idea that victory – or at least some part of victory – is in our power.
(This is why you find so many “self-help” books in Christian book stores. From
dieting to dating we love to find a half-dozen rules to follow which will ensure
that we have a better life. Note that God’s grace rarely plays a significant
role in these strategies.)
A theology of glory would have us think
that we are powerful, but the image Jesus would have us take to heart is that
of sheep among wolves. With a theology of the cross, we have a clear-eyed view
of our sinful condition and the corrupt brokenness of the world.
Our hope is not in this world. We cannot
rely on politics or economics to make the world a better place. These are sin-filled
paradigms that are marred by the very problems they seek to solve.
Does that mean we shun the world? That
is not what the text says.
Christians are called to engage the
world. Recognizing that politics and economics cannot save us, we can also see
that some of these ideologies produce better results than others. In the world
we do well to support strategies that do the best we can – even while
critically dealing with their failings. At the same time, our courage, strength,
comfort, and hope in the midst of this world will not – cannot! – rely on such
systems. Trusting that Jesus’ cross means that God has addressed our sin and
saved us, we place our hope in God even as we work for a better earthly future.
Our confidence, however, is firmly founded on the Father who can destroy soul
and body, but won’t for Jesus’ sake. Indeed, for Jesus’ sake, He provides
resurrection and a good eternity.
Lord Jesus, help me to place my confidence
in You, and not on the solutions of politics and economics. Amen.
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