back to the beginning

May 27, 2010

Matthew 19: 1-9

The Pharisees "test" Jesus with questions about divorce. And He points them back PAST Moses and the Law, TO THE BEGINNING: to God's own intentions and purposes in creating mankind. The "permissions" in the Mosaic law were a reflection of the evil in men's heart, and the facts of where that evil had taken them in their relationships.

"What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." That applies to the church, too, doesn't it? In a myriad of ways! And it also applies to what we do WITHIN our marriages, too. We "separate" from each other in so many ways, without even thinking about it. No wonder we feel so much of the time that we lack one-ness, in our marriages, our families, our church families, and in all kinds of other relationships: friendships, work, even sports teams and organizations and such.

Verse 9: "...whoever divorces... except for immorality... commits adultery..." We "divorce" in the church, too, and even within the shell of our supposedly intact marriages. Oh dear...

Verses 13-14. "Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked Him. But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

When I read these words, I "saw" street people, with all their problems, coming to Pastor P, the street pastor, and asking him to pray for and with them, and saw him bringing them, as little children, to You. And I remember that happening with me last summer, bringing them to you. And it seems to be that I have somehow lost that - and so has Pastor P to some extent - as we have gotten wrapped up in so much physical feeding (though some is good) and in the "politics" (oh dear) of setting up a registered society, and board meetings, and borrowing "church" space and such. And I am sure that that is what is drawing Pastor P BACK TO HIS BEGINNINGS, "walking down the streets" where he "belongs" - pastoring, SHEPHERDING Your children, pointing them to relationship with You. Wow! Father??