Today\u2019s reading: Matthew Chapter 5 verses 17 \u2013 26. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs it an impossible ideal?\u201d
\nSome time ago when on holiday, I visited York Minster. In the shop were cards for sale. One illustrated the Beatitudes.
\nA man had been reading his and looking a bit bewildered he said to his wife that he found the whole aspect of Christianity a bit daunting. In a voice a little louder than a whisper he said to his wife, \u201cmost of us can manage not to commit murder, but who do you know who hasn\u2019t lost their temper and called their friend more than a fool. If we\u2019re being condemned for that there\u2019s no hope for any of us.\u201d She answered, \u201cWell after what you said to me tis morning there\u2019s no hope for you\u201d.
\nChristianity does sometimes seem a bit difficult to live up to.
\nThere have been those who have tried to reduce the whole business of following Jesus to some simple undemanding customs and rules \u2013 but it can\u2019t be done. Sadly, it just cannot be done; so some folk end up imagining themselves to be nice and dandy and others are left to wallow in the mire that of their own often misplaced guilt.
\nWhen we study scripture, the Pharisees keep on cropping up, and it\u2019s no different here. Jesus in this Bible passage is saying that we need to be better than the Pharisees, and part of that was that many but not all the Pharisees thought themselves to be wholly righteous. Jesus was saying to guard against what often happens when people become deeply engrossed in themselves and in religion that they become self-righteous \u2013 not a good thing. And Jesus says that we should become more righteous than the Pharisees whilst at the same time being humble with it.
\nNow the Pharisees were for the most part good folk, so the calling to be \u2018good Christians\u2019 does sounds excessively difficult, maybe even impossible. So, what is the point of calling for something that is impossible?
\nWe all need ideals in life to aim for. If we always and only do what we know we can accomplish then we are missing out on life\u2019s challenges, and there can be no growth for us.
\nThe relevance of an ideal for us is that it spurs us on. We try harder and maybe achieve more, even that we thought of as impossible.
\nIf following Jesus what we can easily achieve, then maybe we are missing the point.
\nWhen Jesus said, \u201cYou must take up your cross and follow me\u201d he knew that it would not be easy. But he never said \u201cYou are on your own so get on with it\u201d. He also said, \u201cCome to me, if your work is hard, and I will give you relief, and remember I will be with you even to the end of time\u201d.
\nWe are not left on our own without help. Jesus is there as he promised to be and he will strengthen you when things get tough. We may fail in our attempts at discipleship but that\u2019s not the end of the story. Jesus is the one who forgives and accepts our failures, so that we can try to keep his ideals; aim for them, miss them, and still he will forgive us are receive us with his understanding, and his forgiving love. However, when we think about where we stand when we are asked to forgive someone, we know it\u2019s not always easy. If it becomes easy it makes forgiveness easy and cheap and it demeans the cross. There was great cost to God\u2019s forgiveness \u2013 the cost was the life of His only Son. So it tells us of a God who truly loves and values us enough to give us a high calling and who is ready to stoop down and pick us up when we fall. What really prompts the Christian life is gratitude and to continue to try a follow all the commands of Jesus, and to recognise in Jesus the graciousness of Almighty God. It is in His grace given and freely accepted.
\nStay strong and follow Him.
\nAmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now a prayer for you.
\nHoly God, we so often fail to uphold what is good and honest, right and true. Forgive us when we fall short of the high standards we should have. Make us ready to admit our faults, grateful to receive your forgiveness, and eager to renew our commitment to live only in your strength.
\nAmen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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