I am reading in Numbers about the conflict that arose between the people and Moses and Aaron over leadership. What an awesome and frightening thing it must have been to have been chosen to lead in those days. The expectations of God for the priests were incredibly high. It is a wonder any of them survived and little wonder that the Jewish leaders became nit picky about following the rules.
And then we have Jesus coming breaking all the little picky rules, beginning to show us that it is not the rules that are worthy of worship. He changed our relationship with God forever.
I, for one, am very glad that Jesus turned the world’s thinking upside down. Jesus talked to women, he taught and encouraged women to sit and learn at his feet and I imagine those women were there alongside the disciples as he taught. Jesus let women minister to his needs and he took the time to heal them, forgive and care for them. So, in reading these accounts, I can be confident that he cares for me, he forgives me and he wants me to sit at his feet and learn how to follow him too.
So, knowing how Jesus acted while he was with people on earth, how he let people who were usually kept on the fringes get close to him, I begin to wonder at how well we honour him with our worship.
We have built some magnificent places of worship. Places where we are really particular about how we perform our rituals, where the God described by Moses would surely feel honoured. And we care about what most of our places of worship look like, even if they are not grandiose. But would Jesus sit inside them teaching us or would he sit outside on the curb talking to the passers by who don’t feel comfortable inside, the ones who don’t feel welcome in our rituals of song and prayer.
What would our churches look like if the really hurting, lonely, unlovely people were cared for by us? Maybe they would be emptier – we would be sitting out on the curb too. Maybe they would be fuller – the outside people would want to come in where they could sit and warm up in God’s presence too. Can we do both – have room for the care of hurting, unlovely people and have room to come and sit in the glory of God’s presence as we worship?
And could we do it? Would we be willing to let some of the ugly, unlovable people in? Or are we looking for a certain degree of comfort so our needs are met first?
I know that, in all honesty, I prefer to be around nice people. The obnoxious ones, the dirty ones, the cursing ones, I avoid. But aren’t they the ones who need the Doctor? And didn’t I sign up to study the doctor’s methods till I become like the doctor?
What is it all about anyway – worshipping and having his presence make us feel good and cozy or creating a space where those who really need him to change their lives feel comfortable enough to sit down with us?
Sorry, I am asking the question. I don’t know if I am truely ready to hear the answer.
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