Leviticus 19-21, Psalm 37:1-18, Mark 10
The story of James and John makes me uncomfortable. Not because I'm astounded at their boldness as to request to sit at the left and right of Jesus, but because I know I've asked the same. Here are two men who left their father and mother, left their trades, left their lives at home to follow Jesus, and now they want their just reward. I think that's how we all function. I know I do. I go to work, I do a good job, I show up on time, and I demand a raise. Seems fair, right? But God's will on earth is not like running a business. It's not as easy as I did what was required, now give me my eternal life. Jesus states very bluntly that "whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all." It's not about doing the list of chores so we get a reward. It's about honestly serving God and serving his people. I think that's why it's "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
Leviticus 19:18 is the first place we hear the Golden Rule: "...you shall love your neighbor as yourself" Most of the laws in this reading from Leviticus deal with our relationships to one another. Even the alien resident among the people are given rights and must be respected. I particularly like the section about leaving parts of your crops for the poor and the hungry. God commands us to live with one another and to care for one another. When we don't, we are acting against not just our neighbor, but against God.
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