How much time do we spend talking about sinfulness? It’s a subject we don’t like to think about because we expose ourselves, our faults and our wrong doings. But without exposure, how can we be cleansed. God sees our hearts no matter how much we try to cover up our messiness. When we do face our sin so that we can prayerfully ask for forgiveness, do we look beyond ourselves and pass blame?
We might say something like, “I wouldn’t have done it if so and so hadn’t made me.” We want to pass the blame torch, somehow lessening the guilt or shame we feel for our own sin. Rather, we should flat out admit we messed up and move on toward forgiveness. That is such a better place to be.
Today’s reading warns us to not be instrumental in another’s sin. It’s true temptations will always exist, a chocolate cake to a dieter, a beer to an alcoholic, a bank account to a gambler, etc. However, Jesus says, “what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.” Little ones here would be referring to new Christians or followers still young in their faith walk. Don’t be “that” person who leads the “little ones” astray. Be upright and helpful. Be the person who helps people stay strong and avoid making bad choices. Be the voice of reason in a situation.
What happens when people sin against us, hurt our feelings or something worse. We are called to forgive continually. Sometimes it’s hard to forgive, especially when the same person sins against us over and over. But just as God forgives continually, we are to do the same. I love the apostle’s response! If we’re going to have to do that, we’re going to need more faith! It goes beyond that. Our faith is what sets us apart from the non-believer. We need to use our faith for good.
Then Jesus gives a servant/master example. While that kind of illustration worked well for those in that time and place, it’s harder for us today to fully grasp. In fact, as I read it, I was picturing myself giving the servant a break in between tasks, and for sure thanking them for their service! We are blessed to have a maid and gardener here in Mexico. I never imagined I would have “servants”. But I enjoy talking with them and sharing life with them. My “master” instincts are obviously not the same as the Biblical context here for those of that time and place.
How I understand what Jesus is saying here is that we are to be servants 24/7 to one another, and particularly to God. We are not supposed to only be giving of ourselves a little here and a little there. We need to be all in, all the time, and be okay with that. As long as we know what is expected of us we can embrace it. If we’re having a hard time embracing it, we need more faith.
We need to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. He was a servant to all. No grumbling, it was just his way of being. We may need a little help from faith. A faith in the promise of heaven, an eternity more spectacular than we can ever imagine. The best prize of all is waiting for us. We just need to embrace our servant-hood life and allegiance to our creator. He is filling us with the faith we need, we just need to recognize it.
Let’s pray. Father God, thank you for filling me with what I need to serve you. Forgive me when I miss out on an opportunity to serve and help others. Help me be more forgiving of others when they wrong me. I need you to help me work through the blockages in my heart that may be keeping me from doing your will. Cleanse me from all the ugly feelings that often take over–I know they are not from you. Help me to stand strong against temptations, encouraging others to do the same. May you be glorified in all I say and do! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
